Disclosed are self-assembling diblock copolymers of the formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1-R.sup.4, n, and m are as described herein, which find use in preparing self-assembled structures and porous membranes. Embodiments of the self-assembled structures contain the diblock copolymer in a cylindrical morphology. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such copolymers.

Cation exchange membranes and materials including silica-based ceramics, and associated methods, are provided. In some aspects, cation exchange membranes that include a silica-based ceramic that forms a coating on and/or within a porous support membrane are described. The cation exchange membranes and materials may have certain structural or chemical attributes (e.g., pore size/distribution, chemical functionalization) that, alone or in combination, can result in advantageous performance characteristics in any of a variety of applications for which selective transport of positively charged ions through membranes/materials is desired. In some embodiments, the silica-based ceramic contains relatively small pores (e.g., substantially spherical nanopores) that may contribute to some such advantageous properties. In some embodiments, the cation exchange membrane or material includes sulfonate and/or sulfonic acid groups covalently bound to the silica-based ceramic.

Cation exchange membranes and materials including silica-based ceramics, and associated methods, are provided. In some aspects, cation exchange membranes that include a silica-based ceramic that forms a coating on and/or within a porous support membrane are described. The cation exchange membranes and materials may have certain structural or chemical attributes (e.g., pore size/distribution, chemical functionalization) that, alone or in combination, can result in advantageous performance characteristics in any of a variety of applications for which selective transport of positively charged ions through membranes/materials is desired. In some embodiments, the silica-based ceramic contains relatively small pores (e.g., substantially spherical nanopores) that may contribute to some such advantageous properties. In some embodiments, the cation exchange membrane or material includes sulfonate and/or sulfonic acid groups covalently bound to the silica-based ceramic.

A bilayer electrospun membranes for treating hydraulic fracking wastewater via membrane distillation, and more particularly to bilayer electrospun membranes having an omniphobic layer to prevent low-surface tension solution wicking and an oleophobic antifouling surface to prevent foulant depositing on the membrane. Nanoparticles are decorated on the omniphobic surface through electrochemical interaction, which is coated with a fluorine monomer on the nanoparticles. A zwitterionic co-polymer is grafted using self-assembly between hydroxy groups on the antifouling surface generated by alkaline treatment and anchor segment epoxy groups on zwitterionic co-polymer.

A bilayer electrospun membranes for treating hydraulic fracking wastewater via membrane distillation, and more particularly to bilayer electrospun membranes having an omniphobic layer to prevent low-surface tension solution wicking and an oleophobic antifouling surface to prevent foulant depositing on the membrane. Nanoparticles are decorated on the omniphobic surface through electrochemical interaction, which is coated with a fluorine monomer on the nanoparticles. A zwitterionic co-polymer is grafted using self-assembly between hydroxy groups on the antifouling surface generated by alkaline treatment and anchor segment epoxy groups on zwitterionic co-polymer.

Durable asymmetric composite membranes comprising of a film of cross-linked poly(ether ether ketone) adhered to a sheet of hydrophilicitized microporous polyolefin are disclosed. The membranes are suitable for use in the recovery or removal of water from feed streams where repeated clean-in-place protocols are required such as in the processing of dairy products. The membranes are also suitable for use in the preparation of durable asymmetric composite membranes with improved rejection characteristics.

Durable asymmetric composite membranes comprising of a film of cross-linked poly(ether ether ketone) adhered to a sheet of hydrophilicitized microporous polyolefin are disclosed. The membranes are suitable for use in the recovery or removal of water from feed streams where repeated clean-in-place protocols are required such as in the processing of dairy products. The membranes are also suitable for use in the preparation of durable asymmetric composite membranes with improved rejection characteristics.

The invention relates to a film Film comprising a random graft copolymer having a polypropylene (PP) backbone and from 3 to 8 polyester segments covalently bonded to said backbone, wherein the number average molecular weight (Mn) of the polypropylene backbone ranges between 10.000 and 100.000 Dalton (as determined with HT-SEC in o-DCB at 150° C.), wherein the Mn of each polyester segment ranges between 5.000 and 25.000 Daltons, wherein the amount of PP ranges between 45 and 80 mol %, wherein the amount of polyester segments ranges between 55 and 20 mol %, wherein the film has a thickness in the range of 0.01-10 mm, wherein the polypropylene and polyester domains form independently continuous phases, and wherein the mol % is calculated relative to the total moles of monomer units present in the copolymer. The invention further relates to a nano porous PP membrane and its use.

The invention relates to a film Film comprising a random graft copolymer having a polypropylene (PP) backbone and from 3 to 8 polyester segments covalently bonded to said backbone, wherein the number average molecular weight (Mn) of the polypropylene backbone ranges between 10.000 and 100.000 Dalton (as determined with HT-SEC in o-DCB at 150° C.), wherein the Mn of each polyester segment ranges between 5.000 and 25.000 Daltons, wherein the amount of PP ranges between 45 and 80 mol %, wherein the amount of polyester segments ranges between 55 and 20 mol %, wherein the film has a thickness in the range of 0.01-10 mm, wherein the polypropylene and polyester domains form independently continuous phases, and wherein the mol % is calculated relative to the total moles of monomer units present in the copolymer. The invention further relates to a nano porous PP membrane and its use.

Polymer-based membranes and methods for fabricating membranes are described. The methods include forming a casting solution featuring a plurality of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based solvent, and a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based modifying agent, dispersing the casting solution to form a first element, generating a plurality of active sites on a surface of the first element, and forming a polymer-based membrane by exposing the surface of the first element to a fluorosilane composition to form a fluorosilane layer on the surface, where the fluorosilane composition includes a silane compound having at least one alkyl substituent that includes between 9 and 21 fluorine atoms.