Impact of the ethylene content on poly (ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) membrane morphology and performance via immersion precipitation for lithium extraction

Abstract

Poly (ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol, EVAL) polymers were reported as one of the best candidates for solvent resistance membrane because of a block copolymer nature. In this paper, we aim to explore the contribution of the hydrophobic/hydrophilic block to the membrane morphology, mechanical strength, crystallinity, and ion permeance via immersion precipitation phase separation. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wettability, water uptake, tensile strength, and ion permeance. Increase in the ethylene content led to smaller pore size, increased crystallinity temperature and improved mechanical strength, however reduced wa..