화학공학소재연구정보센터
Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.82, No.1, 169-177, 2001
Effect of diluents on membrane formation via thermally induced phase separation
The effect of diluents on isotactic polypropylene (iPP) membrane formation via thermally induced phase separation was investigated. The diluents were methyl salicylate (MS), diphenyl ether (DPE), and diphenylmethane (DPM). The cloud-point curve was shifted to a lower temperature in the order iPP-MS, iPP-DPE, and iPP-DPM, whereas the crystallization temperature was not influenced so much by diluent type. Droplet-growth processes were investigated under two conditions: quenching the polymer solution at the desired temperature and cooling at a constant rate. Although droplet sizes were in the order IPP-MS, iPP-DPE, and iPP-DPM in both cases, the difference was more pronounced with the constant cooling rate condition. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that interconnected structures were obtained when the polymer solution was quenched in ice water. The effect of the diluents on these structures was observed.