A facile synthesis of mixed soft-segmented poly(urethane-imide)-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxone hybrid nanocomposites and study of their structure-transport properties

摘要

The structure–transport properties of mixed soft-segmented poly(urethane-imide) (MSPUI) membranes and theirmicrostructures were investigated. Polypropylene glycol, polycaprolactone diol and bis(3-aminopropyl)-terminatedpolydimethylsiloxane were used as the soft segments in the membrane synthesis via a three-step polymerization reaction.The chemical structures of the MSPUI membranes were characterized using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transforminfrared spectroscopy. Morphology and surface properties of the membranes were studied using scanning electron andatomic force microscopy techniques. Surface energy measurements indicated the enrichment of the hydrophobic soft segmentin the membranes. The amorphous nature of the polymers was analysed using wide-angle X-ray diffraction. The effectof morphology on the permeability and selectivity of the membranes is discussed. Finally, membrane structure–transportproperty relationships were correlated.