The invention provides systems and methods for substantially improving the compaction resistance of isoporous block copolymer (BCP) film by adding a high molecular weight hydrophilic additive in the casting dope formulation. Systems and methods disclosed also disclose several other multifunctional enhancements to film properties including: low fouling propensity, improved permeability, improved permeability retention upon drying, and ability to tune the substructure and pore size of these novel BCP films. These porous BCP films are useful in filtration and separations applications and are amenable to standard manufacturing practices.

Autonomous localized permeability material systems are provided that can include: a dynamically permeable porous material; and immobilized reagents operatively associated with the porous material in sufficient proximity to trigger a localized change in material pore size upon reagent reaction. Methods for preparing these materials are also provided as well as methods for autonomously modifying localized permeability of material.

Described herein are passive samplers, making of such samplers, and methods of use. In an example embodiment, a passive sampling membrane comprises, for example, a continuous mesoporous sequestration media having a sequestration phase and a support membrane configured to support the sequestration phase. The sequestration phase may include a hydrophobic region and a hydrophilic region. The continuous mesoporous sequestration media may be configured to simultaneously sequester polar and non-polar organic substances.

An anion exchange membrane includes an anion exchange resin layer 3 reinforced with a backing material sheet 5. The anion exchange resin layer 3 includes an anion exchange resin that has as an anion exchange group a pyridinium group formed by protonation of a pyridyl group, and a vinyl chloride resin as a thickener. The backing material sheet 5 is made of a polyethylene woven fabric.

A porous asymmetric membrane comprises a hydrophobic polymer comprising a poly(phenylene ether) or poly(phenylene ether) copolymer; and a polymer additive. A separation module can be fabricated from the porous asymmetric membrane. A method of forming the porous asymmetric membrane comprises: dissolving a hydrophobic polymer comprising a poly(phenylene ether) or poly(phenylene ether) copolymer and, a polymer additive in a water-miscible polar aprotic solvent to form a porous asymmetric membrane-forming composition; and phase-inverting the porous asymmetric membrane forming-composition in a first non-solvent composition to form the porous asymmetric membrane. The polymer additive comprises hydrophilic functional groups, copolymerized hydrophilic monomers, or blocks of hydrophilic monomer repeat units. For example, the polymer additive can comprise a hydrophilic polymer or amphiphilic polymer. The porous asymmetric membrane can be a flat membrane or hollow fiber.

A porous asymmetric membrane comprises a hydrophobic polymer comprising a poly(phenylene ether) or poly(phenylene ether) copolymer; and a polymer additive. A separation module can be fabricated from the porous asymmetric membrane. A method of forming the porous asymmetric membrane comprises: dissolving a hydrophobic polymer comprising a poly(phenylene ether) or poly(phenylene ether) copolymer and, a polymer additive in a water-miscible polar aprotic solvent to form a porous asymmetric membrane-forming composition; and phase-inverting the porous asymmetric membrane forming-composition in a first non-solvent composition to form the porous asymmetric membrane. The polymer additive comprises hydrophilic functional groups, copolymerized hydrophilic monomers, or blocks of hydrophilic monomer repeat units. For example, the polymer additive can comprise a hydrophilic polymer or amphiphilic polymer. The porous asymmetric membrane can be a flat membrane or hollow fiber.

Multiblock polymer materials, methods of preparing, and using to separate proteins, nucleic acids, other biological or other biomolecules, compounds, or solutes, with high fluxes through electrostatic interactions where the self-assembled block polymer materials contain at least one of macro, meso, or micro pores, and at least some of the pores are isoporous, and at least one polymer block contains stationary electrostatic charge, or reactive functional groups to provide large surface areas that are charged in isoporous structure.

The invention relates to a method for creating a porous film through aqueous phase separation, the method comprising: i) providing an aqueous solution comprising a responsive copolymer, and optionally a charged polymer, wherein at least one of the monomers in the responsive copolymer is a responsive monomer; ii) forming the aqueous solution into a thin layer and contacting the thin layer of aqueous solution with an aqueous coagulation solution in which the responsive copolymer is not soluble, or contacting the thin layer of aqueous solution with an aqueous coagulation solution in which a complex comprising the responsive copolymer and the charged polymer is not soluble; and iii) allowing solvent exchange between the aqueous solution and the aqueous coagulation solution to produce a porous film. The invention further relates to porous films or membranes thus obtained.

Disclosed are a copolymer, porous membranes made from the copolymer, and a method of treating fluids to remove metal ions using the porous membranes, for example, from fluids originating in the microelectronics industry, wherein the copolymer includes monomeric units I and II, wherein monomeric unit I is of the formula A-XCH.sub.2B, wherein A is Rf(CH.sub.2)n, Rf is a perfluoro alkyl group of the formula CF.sub.3(CF.sub.2).sub.x, wherein x is 3-12, n is 1-6, X is O or S, and B is vinylphenyl, and monomeric unit II is vinylpyridine.

Disclosed is a tetrablock polymer including the formula ABAC, wherein A, B and C are each blocks of the polymer, where A is a glassy block; B is a rubbery block; and C is a hydrophilic block. Also, a membrane including any of the disclosed polymers organized to define pores with an average pore diameter of about 15 nm to about 50 nm is disclosed. A supported ionic liquid membrane including any of the disclosed membranes and an ionic liquid within the pores are also disclosed. Methods of forming a membrane and methods of purifying a liquid or gas are disclosed.