Abstract
Fouling-resistant membranes endowed with intelligent isopores in high-areal density are highly-desired to move towards next-generation ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. Indeed, membranes tailored with smart nanochannels, able to adjust their size in response to an external stimulus such as temperature and pH, are appealing materials to efficiently prevent the common problem of fouling, considered as one of the biggest challenges in membrane technology.In this context, the aim of this thesis work was based on the synthesis and self-assembly of a series of well-defined pH- and temperature-double stimuli responsive amphiphilic triblock terpolymers in membrane configuration. For that purpose, a polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PS-b-P2VP-b-PNIPAM) was first prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. An original methodology combining the traditional nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) process with a solvent vapor annealing (SVA) treatment was then used to produce a perforated lamellar structure within double stimuli-responsive PS-b-P2VP-b-PNIPAM membranes. To improve the membrane wettability as well as its thermo-responsiveness, a block copolymer blend strategy was also used.A double stimuli-responsive porous nanostructure having an excellent long-range order formed within the terpolymer membranes is highly desired to manufacture high selectivity smart separation-based materials able to transit their pore state from hydrophilic to hydrophobic (and vice versa), thereby leading to much more efficient detachment of foulants during the cleaning process.Keywords : PS-b-P2VP-b-PNIPAM, RAFT polymerization, thermo-sensitive, pH-sensitive, thick film.