abstract |
Disclosed are membranes formed from self-assembling block copolymers, for example, a diblock copolymer of the formula (I): n n n n n n n n n n wherein R 1 -R 4 , n, and m are as described herein, which find use in preparing nanoporous membranes. Embodiments of the membranes contain the block copolymer that self-assembles into a cylindrical morphology. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such membrane which involves hybrid casting a polymer solution containing the block copolymer to obtain a thin film, followed by evaporation of some of the solvent from the thin film, and coagulating the resulting this film in a bath containing a nonsolvent or poor solvent for the block copolymer. |