Abstract
In this study, we focus on the design and synthesis of carbon dioxide (CO2) responsive diblock copolymer, poly (N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-acrylamide)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PDMAPAm-b-PMMA) via a two-steps RAFT polymerization as well as the application of the synthesized diblock copolymer as a membrane for CO2 capture. The synthesized diblock copolymer consists of two distinct blocks with varying properties: PDMAPAm block provides CO2-responsive behavior, while the PMMA block contributes to mechanical stability. Using the copolymer, a thin-film composite membrane was prepared and the gas transport properties of the fabricated membranes were measured using a time-lag instrument. Figure 1 depicts a cross-sectional SEM image of the PDMAPAm-b-PMMA polymer thin-film composite membrane consisting of the non-woven bottom layer from porous PAN, the PMDS gutter layer and the top layer of PDMAPAm-b-PMMA diblock copolymer and also permeabilities of gases through the thin-film composite membrane.
