Ultra-thin and strong formvar-based membranes with controlled porosity for micro- and nano-scale systems

Journal Article · 28 March 2018 · Nanotechnology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6528/aab4a4 · OSTI ID:1431081

Auchter, Eric Lawrence ^[1]; Marquez, Justin Ryan ^[1]; Stevens, Garrison Nicole  ^[1]; Silva, Rebecca ^[1]; Mcculloch, Quinn  ^[1]; Guengerich, Quintessa ^[1]; Blair, Andrew ^[1]; Litchfield, Sebastian ^[1]; Li, Nan  ^[1]; Sheehan, Chris J. ^[1]; Chamberlin, Rebecca M.  ^[1]; Yarbro, Stephen Lee  ^[1]; Dervishi, Enkeleda  ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Here, we present a methodology for developing ultra-thin and strong formvar-based membranes with controlled morphologies. Formvar is a thin hydrophilic and oleophilic polymer inert to most chemicals and resistant to radiation. The formvar-based membranes are viable materials as support structures in micro- and macro-scale systems depending on thinness and porosity control. Tunable sub-micron thick porous membranes with 20%–65% porosity were synthesized by controlling the ratios of formvar, glycerol, and chloroform. This synthesis process does not require complex separation or handling methods and allows for the production of strong, thin, and porous formvar-based membranes. An expansive array of these membrane characterizations including chemical compatibility, mechanical responses, wettability, as well as the mathematical simulations as a function of porosity has been presented. The wide range of chemical compatibility allows for membrane applications in various environments, where other polymers would not be suitable. Our formvar-based membranes were found to have an elastic modulus of 7.8 GPa, a surface free energy of 50 mN m^-1 and an average thickness of 125 nm. Stochastic model simulations indicate that formvar with the porosity of ~50% is the optimal membrane formulation, allowing the most material transfer across the membrane while also withstanding the highest simulated pressure loadings before tearing. Development of novel, resilient and versatile membranes with controlled porosity offers a wide range of exciting applications in the fields of nanoscience, microfluidics, and MEMS.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
• Grant/Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396; NA0003525
• OSTI ID: 1431081
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-17-30884
• Journal Information: Nanotechnology, Journal Name: Nanotechnology Journal Issue: 21 Vol. 29; ISSN 0957-4484
• Publisher: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English