Structure and properties of poly(acrylonitrile-co-methyl acrylate) membranes prepared via thermally induced phase separation

Poly(acrylonitrile-co-methyl acrylate) [(P(AN-MA)] microporous membranes were prepared via a thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process by using -butyrolactone (-BA) and glyceryl triacetate (GTA) as the mixed diluent. The purpose of this work is to investigate the effects of the -BA content, P(AN-MA) concentration, and cooling rate on the structure and properties of P(AN-MA) membranes. A lacy structure with high connectivity was formed with 50 wt % -BA, and 50 wt % GTA comprising the mixed diluent. With an increase in the -BA content, the pore structure acquires semi-closed or completely closed cell-like morphologies. The different phase separation mechanisms greatly influence the mechanical properties of the P(AN-MA) membranes. P(AN-MA) membranes with a lacy structure possess better tensile strength than those with semi-closed or completely closed cell-like structures. The membrane pore size grows larger when the TIPS process utilizes a higher -BA content and a lower cooling rate. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43444.