Solution Properties and Membrane Formation of New Block Copolymers

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This project involves the study of the physical properties of new diblock and triblock copolymers in dilute and semi-dilute solutions and their processing into polymeric membranes. Emphasis will be on blocks of high incompatibility. Physical properties relevant to the process of membrane formation will be focussed on: 1) Determination of the interaction parameters between the segments of different blocks in solution; 2) Physical behavior (conformation and swelling) of diblock and triblock copolymers in "selective" solvents; 3) Swelling and mechanical properties of block copolymer gels. Membranes will be obtained by quenching copolymer solution films; their structure and properties will be examined as a function of initial polymer concentration, relative size of the blocks, and quench temperature. Low angle total intensity light scattering, viscometry, dynamic light scattering, mechanical measurements, and electron microscopy will be used to characterize the membranes. This project is being funded simultaneously with a project at the University of Southern California (USC) where a group directed by Professor Thieo E. Hogen-Esch will collaborate with the group at Cornell directed by Professor Cohen. The group at USC will perform the synthesis of new AB and ABA block copolymers to be used in the physicochemical and mechanical studies on solution and gel properties of the copolymers. The overall goal of this group project is to identify block copolymers and processing conditions with the potential for use in the manufacturing of a new generation of high performance membranes for chemical processing, biotechnology, biomedical applications, and pollution control technology.