Hybrid films based on poly(ethylene oxide-b-amide-6), PEBAX, and zirconium oxide were prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of zirconium tetraisopropoxide in a 3wt% PEBAX/n-butanol solution. Films were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The results showed that the incorporation of the inorganic phase promoted the organic polymer degradation. Composite membranes constituted by a porous support of poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, covered with a PEBAX/ZrO2 filter layer were prepared and characterized by electron microscopy. Tests including the permeation of water and aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) with different molecular weight were performed. Phosphate retention was also determined by permeation tests of a KH2PO4 aqueous solution. Regardless of the filter layer composition, phosphate retention was near to 80%.
Hybrids; sol-gel process; membranes; ZrO2 sol-gel
