Desalination, Vol.199, No.1-3, 127-129, 2006
Membrane synthesis by microemulsion polymerisation stabilised by commercial non-ionic surfactants
Earlier works had demonstrated that microemulsion polymerisation is a well suited technique to produce nanostructured membranes if surfmers (polymerisable surfactants) are used to stabilise the primary template (sponge phase microemulsion). Up to now, however; same hadn't been done using common surfactants. Present work aims to show this is possible if proper surfactants are selected. Specific formulation selection was done by means of phase diagram. Phase diagram was obtained by conductivity, surface tension and QELS measurements through several dilution lines. Polymerisation region was selected from phase diagram were no globular system was observed. Membranes were characterised by SEM, DSC and permeation experiments.
Keywords:microemulsion polymerisation;nanostructured membranes;sponge phase;methyl methacrylate;hydroxyethyl methacrylate;commercial surfactants