Integration of disordered block polymers into dual layer ultrafilration membranes

Block polymers have been used in the development of advanced ultrafiltration membranes. They offer incredible control over pore size and pore wall functionality in the resultant separation media. Numerous demonstrations have highlighted the advantages of such block polymer-based strategies, and the future prospects for translation of these examples to technological applications have motivated new practical approaches. To this end, we have emphasized the use of the disordered state of lamellar-forming block polymers as key components given that they adopt bicontinuous morphologies that allow for percolating domains of a mechanically robust material and a sacrificial domain used for pore formation. I will report on our efforts to integrate disordered block polymers into dual layer membranes through a co-casting strategy that combines the commonly used non-solvent induced phase separation method with solvent casting of a designer block polymer that traps the disordered state as a thin separation layer post pore formation. The design concept, the strategy used to prepare the dual-layer membranes, and the characterization of the membranes will be presented.