MACROPOROUS MEMBRANES .3. PROPERTIES OF MACROPOROUS MEMBRANES SYNTHESIZED FROM GLYCIDYL METHACRYLATE, ETHYLENE DIMETHACRYLATE AND ALKYL METHACRYLATE OR HYDROXYALKYL METHACRYLATE

A series of macroporous membranes composed either of glycidyl methacrylate and ethylene dimethacrylate with an addition of other monomer chosen from a group comprising 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate or dodecyl methacrylate, or of a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and ethylene dimethacrylate were synthesized and their properties were determined. The addition of a third monomer changes the porous properties only when the concentration of the monomer in the polymerization feed is rather high. The presence of bulkier alkyl side chains in a polymer matrix raises hydrophobicity and reduces the water regain while the strength of the membrane increases.