Poly(vinyl alcohol) Membrane Modified by Polyurethane.

A series of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/polyurethane (PU) blend membranes were prepared by casting the polymer blend solution in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Structure and morphologies of PVA/PU blend membranes were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties of PVA/PU blend membrane were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile tests, and surface contact angle tests. It was found that the introduction of PU could exert marked effects on the morphology and the properties of PVA membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]