AGGREGATION STATE-PERMEATION CHARACTERISTIC RELATIONSHIPS OF SELF-SUPPORTED LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE MEMBRANES

A series of built-up films composed of the blend materials of polymer and liquid crystal(LC) were prepared by a solvent-casting or a water-casting method. The weight fraction of LC in the composite membrane was 60-70%. The thickness and aggregation state in the composite membrane can be controlled by solvents and the concentration of a solution. LC material forms a continuous phase in the three-dimensional spongy network of the matrix polymer. Therefore, LC phase can play a role of a diffusing phase for the permeants, because of very low viscosity of LC. The composite membranes were applied as the permselective membranes for the purpose of oxygen enrichment, molecular filtration, active transports of metal cations and enantioselective transport of amino acid salts.