Kouichi Kosai

Permeability through cellulose membranes grafted with vinyl monomers in a homogeneous system: 5.2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate grafted cellulose membranes

Abstract The homogeneous grafting of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) onto cellulose was carried out in a dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO)-paraformaldehyde solvent system. Three kinds of membranes were prepared: membranes of graft copolymers using ammonium persulphate (APS) as an initiator, membranes of graft copolymers using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), and blended membranes of cellulose and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The diffusive permeabilities of solutes through the membranes, the states of water in them, and their microphase separated structures were investigated. Permeability through the APS and AIBN membranes was better than that through the membrane cast from the DMSO solution of cellulose. The states of water in the membranes were influenced by grafting HEMA onto cellulose. The fine microphase separated structure was essential for the improvement of the permeability through the membranes.