![Sample our Physical Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110819/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Physical-Sciences.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Novel membranes have been obtained from an aldehyde functionalized-polysulfone and poly(vinyl alcohol), in the presence of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) by a sol-gel method, and the effect of the amount of TEOS in the membrane formulations has been investigated. The characterization of the prepared membranes has been performed using attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (TGA and DSC), and by wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD). Also, the hydrophilicity, the water/alcohol absorption, and permeability of membranes were studied. The novel membranes showed a much lower absorption of water/alcohol than the one without TEOS. The membrane containing 1% TEOS exhibited a porous structure that entailed a permeability toward both polar (water and alcohols like ethanol and butyl alcohol) and nonpolar solvents (toluene, benzene), compared to pristine membrane which is permeable only for nonpolar solvents.
Graphical Abstract
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Constantin Gaina
Dr Constantin Gaina is a senior researcher at Polyaddition and Photochemistry Laboratory from “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romanian Academy. Research interest: heterocyclic thermostable polymers for high performance applications (parabanic polymers, polyaminobismaleimide resins, allyl-benzoxazine-maleimide polymers, retro Diels-Alder polymers, maleimide functional polymers).
Viorica Gaina
Dr. Viorica Gaina is a senior researcher at Polyaddition and Photochemistry Laboratory from “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romanian Academy. Research interest: heterocyclic polymers and copolymers, hybrid materials based on thermostable polymers, polymeric materials with self-repair capacity.
Oana Ursache
Dr. Oana Ursache is a scientific researcher at Polyaddition and Photochemistry Laboratory from “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romanian Academy. Research interest: Diels-Alder reactions, thermal and mechanical characterization, polyurethanes, chitosan based polymer networks.
Lavinia Vasiliu
Dr Lavinia Vasiliu is a research assistant at Functional Polymers Laboratory from “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romanian Academy. Research interests: investigation of the morphology, topography and structure of different materials, as a SEM specialist and synthesis and characterization of composite materials, based on CaCO3 and natural/synthetic additives.