Mesoporous Membrane Materials Based on Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene: From Synthesis to Applied Aspects

Abstract

The development of new porous polymeric materials with nanoscale pore dimensions and controlled morphology presents a challenging problem of modern materials and membrane science, which should be based on scientifically justified approaches with the emphasis on ecological issues. This work offers a facile and sustainable strategy allowing preparation of porous nanostructured materials based on ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) via the mechanism of environmental intercrystallite crazing and their detailed characterization by diverse physicochemical methods, including SEM, TEM, AFM, liquid and gas permeability, DSC, etc. The resultant porous UHMWPE materials are characterized by high porosity (up to ~45%), pore interconnectivity, nanoscale pore dimensions (below 10 nm), high water vapor permeability [1700 g/(m2 × day)] and high gas permeability (the Gurley number ~300 s), selectivity, and good mechanical properties. The applied benefits of the advanced UHMWPE mesoporous materials as efficient membranes, breathable, waterproof, and insulating materials, light-weight materials with reduced density, gas capture and storage systems, porous substrates and scaffolds are discussed.

3D Neuronal Cell Culture Modeling Based on Highly Porous Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

“…The undoubted breakthrough was a UHMWPE implantation into mouse brains for the first time. Our findings are in consensus with other studies which use UHMWPE for various biological applications ranging from membrane to vascular stent graft applications [ 22 , 25 , 26 ]. Moreover, there is a growing body of studies suggesting UHWMPE as a promising polymer material for biomedical applications.…”

Hydrophilization of Hydrophobic Mesoporous High-Density Polyethylene Membranes via Ozonation

“…Environmental crazing is known to be the specific mode of plastic deformation of semicrystalline and amorphous glassy polymers, which is accompanied by the development of macroscopic porosity with nanoscale pore dimensions (below 10 nm) [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. In the case of semicrystalline polymers, their deformation in the presence of physically active liquid environments (PALE) proceeds via the mechanism of intercrystallite crazing which involves stress-induced cavitation and fibrillation in the amorphous phase upon separation of crystalline lamellae [ 37 , 38 , 39 ]. In this study, the porous membranes were prepared by tensile drawing of pristine HDPE films in the presence of the PALE to different tensile strains.…”

Biocompatibility and Antimicrobial Activity of Electrospun Fibrous Materials Based on PHB and Modified with Hemin

“…Permeability to air characterizes barrier properties of porous nonwoven material. Air permeability of the PHB–Hmi porous samples was measured according to the standard protocol according to Gurley method [ 61 , 62 ]. The pressure was 1.22 MPa, volume of the air was 100 mL, and the test sample’s area was 6.5 cm 2 .…”