Effects of coagulant pH and ion strength on the dehydration and self-assembly of poly(N, N-dimethylamino-2-ethyl methacrylate) chains in the preparation of stimuli-responsive polyethersulfone blend membranes

Suggested dehydration/hydration of the pDMAEMA blocks in phase de-mixing process (A), the dot lines between water and pDMAEMA indicate the possible hydration process. The hydration (B) and dehydration (C) are respectively observed when blend membranes are prepared in acid (neutral) and salt (basic) solutions. The process is accompanied by a non-solvent determined self-assembly and surface migration.185