Abstract:
A porous membrane that includes a first zone, the first zone including a crystallizable polymer; and a first nucleating agent, the first nucleating agent having a first concentration in the first zone, the first zone having a first average pore size; and a second zone, the second zone including a crystallizable polymer; and a second nucleating agent, the second nucleating agent having a second concentration in the second zone, the second zone having a second average pore size, wherein the crystallizable polymer is the same in the first zone and second zone, wherein the first average pore size is not the same as the second average pore size, wherein the first nucleating agent and the second nucleating agent are the same or different, wherein the first concentration and the second concentration agent are the same or different and with the proviso that the first nucleating agent and the first concentration are not the same as the second nucleating agent and the second concentration. Methods of making membranes are also disclosed.
Abstract:
The present disclosure describes a method for forming microporous and antimicrobial articles. The method comprises preparing an initial composition containing a semicrystalline polylactic acid material, a nonpolymeric aliphatic ester diluent, and a nucleating agent. The initial composition is heated to form a melt blended composition. Upon cooling, the melt blended composition phase separates into a composition having two continuous phases. A network of interconnected micropores may be formed by stretching the composition, by removing at least a portion of the nonpolymeric aliphatic ester diluent from the composition, or a combination thereof.