Structure of phase-inversion membranes from small-angle neutron scattering data

The structure of gradient-porous (asymmetric) membranes based on polyamide imide at different conditions of their formation has been investigated using small-angle neutron scattering. It has been shown that the membranes consist of rigid porous networks with well-defined interfaces between the polymer and the pores. It has been found that there are differences in the packings of structural elements of porous membranes-spherical pores with radii from 4 to 100 nm–depending on the membrane preformation time, drying regime, and the presence of fullerene C$_{60}$ for modifying the mechanical and selective properties of membranes. The membranes also contain larger pores of micrometer sizes. Differences in the rates of saturation of membranes with water and their limiting swelling ratios are found, which can be explained by the structure of the dense layers of membranes (skin layer) and their different hydrophilities (depending on the fullerene content).