LYOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTAL MEMBRANES BASED ON CROSS-LINKED TYPE I BICONTINUOUS CUBIC PHASES

摘要

The invention provides composite nanofiltration membranes with a lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) polymer composition embedded in or forming a layer on a porous support. The LLC membranes are prepared from LLC monomers which form a bicontinuous cubic (Q_I) phase. The arrangement, size, and chemical properties of the pores can be tailored on the molecular level. The composite membranes of the invention are useful for separation processes involving aqueous and nonaqueous solutions as well as gases. Methods for making and using the composite nanofiltration membranes of the invention are also provided.