Thesis (PhD (Chemistry and Polymer Science)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / This study involves the synthesis and characterisation of PEG-based amphiphilic block
copolymers for the hydrophilization of polysulphone ultrafiltration membranes. PEG
based macro RAFT agents were synthesized and characterised. PEG-b-PS block
copolymers were synthesized via the RAFT assisted controlled free radical polymerisation
utilizing the synthesized PEG macro RAFT agents. The resulting polymerisation products
were then analyzed by two-dimensional chromatography at the “critical conditions” for PS.
In the second phase of this study PEG-b-PSU block copolymers were synthesized via the
polycondensation of bis (4-chlorophenyl) sulphone, Bisphenol A, and PEG. The resulting
products were characterised by NMR spectrometry.
PEG-b-PS films and modified PSU membranes (modified by the addition of PEG-b-PSU
block copolymer to the membrane casting solution) were prepared and analyzed. Surface
analyses included static contact angle, AFM force-distance analysis, and FTIR-PAS
analysis.
Results showed the successful synthesis of both PEG-b-PS and PEG-b-PSU amphiphilic
block copolymers. Surface analysis proved the successful hydrophilization of the surface
of the modified PSU membranes.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1213 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Morkel, Charl Ernst |
| Contributors | Van Reenen, A. J., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Chemistry and Polymer Science. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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