Visualization and characterization of interfacial polymerization layer formation.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 25421971.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1039/c4lc01046a.
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Abstract
We present a microfluidic platform to visualize the formation of free-standing films by interfacial polymerization. A microfluidic device is fabricated, with an array of micropillars to stabilize an aqueous-organic interface that allows a direct observation of the films formation process via optical microscopy. Three different amines are selected to react with trimesoyl chloride: piperazine, JEFFAMINE(®)D-230, and an ammonium functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane. Tracking the formation of the free-standing films in time reveals strong effects of the characteristics of the amine precursor on the morphological evolution of the films. Piperazine exhibits a rapid reaction with trimesoyl chloride, forming a film up to 20 μm thick within half a minute. JEFFAMINE(®)D-230 displays much slower film formation kinetics. The location of the polymerization reaction was initially in the aqueous phase and then shifted into the organic phase. Our in situ real-time observations provide information on the kinetics and the changing location of the polymerization. This provides insights with important implications for fine-tuning of interfacial polymerizations for various applications.