Robust Microsieves with Excellent Solvent Resistance: Cross-Linkage of Perforated Polymer Films with Honeycomb Structure

Abstract

Polymeric microsieves with uniform and tunable pores were fabricated with the breath-figure method and sequent vulcanization procedure using commercially available block copolymer polystyrene-b-polyisoprene-b-polystyrene. Uniform pore size and small film thickness endow the microsieves with high size selectivity and low operation pressure, while the cross-linked chemical structure gives them good mechanical properties and excellent chemical and thermal stability. These microsieves are able to separate particles in various media, including corrosive solvents, hot water, and organic solvents. The process reported in this communication is a simple and inexpensive method for the preparation of high-performance microsieves.