Polysulfone−ZrO₂ Surface Interactions. The Influence on Formation, Morphology and Properties of Zirfon-Membranes

Abstract

The interaction between polysulfone and ZrO(2) particles is studied as a function of the particle sintering temperature in order to understand the role of ZrO(2) on the formation, morphology, and properties of organo-mineral composite membranes. The adsorption between the sintered ZrO(2) and the constituents of polysulfone, 2,2-diphenylpropane and diphenyl sulfone, is investigated using high-pressure liquid chromatography. The influence of the polymer-ZrO(2) interaction on the flow behavior of the casting suspension is registered via viscoelastic measurements. The organo-mineral composite membranes are formed by immersion precipitation in water, and the resulting membrane morphology is analyzed using high-resolution SEM. The zirconia concentration in the top-layer of the composite structure is determined by XPS. Finally, the link between the polymer-filler interactions, the membrane formation process, and the resulting membrane structure and properties is established.

Properties of casting solutions and ultrafiltration membranes based on fullerene-polyamide nanocomposites

“…These data are in agreement with published results [25]. The SEM images of PA/C 60 membranes show homogeneous surfaces.…”

“…With increasing velocity gradient, the values of dynamic viscosity descend and approach each other. The casting solutions of polysulfone with porous ZrO 2 nanoparticles also revealed shear thinning under rheological experiments [25]. In both cases a polymer-particle network was broken by the applied force.…”

“…These data give indirect evidence that the clusters are destructed at high velocity gradients. The inclusion of fullerenes, other carbon and metal oxide nanoparticles in different polymers modifies the properties of films and membranes based on these polymers [3,9,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. For example, the addition of small amounts of fullerene (up to 2-10 wt%) to poly (phenylene oxide) (PPO), PS, and PA changes selectivity and permeability of membranes made from these polymers in gas separation and pervaporation processes [3,[28][29][30].…”

“…For example, the addition of small amounts of fullerene (up to 2-10 wt%) to poly (phenylene oxide) (PPO), PS, and PA changes selectivity and permeability of membranes made from these polymers in gas separation and pervaporation processes [3,[28][29][30]. Ultrafiltration membranes made from polysulfone [25], poly(ethersulfone) [26] and poly(vinylidene fluoride) [27] containing nanoparticles of titanium or zirconium oxides demonstrate surface and performance properties which are distinctly different from those of unmodified membranes. However, there are few data on the studies of fullerene-containing polymer membranes intended for ultrafiltration (UF).…”

Hydrogen Diffusivity and Electrolyte Permeability of the Zirfon PERL Separator for Alkaline Water Electrolysis

“…The manufacturing procedure and resulting physical properties, such as the wettability and porosity, are reported in the literature. 14,16,18 However, a detailed quantitative study of the hydrogen diffusivity and electrolyte permeability of the Zirfon PERL separator or other types of separators has thus far not been presented in the literature, despite these properties have a decisive impact on the overall efficiency. 9 Given this lack of knowledge, in this study these properties are characterized as a function of pressure, temperature and the composition of aqueous KOH filling.…”