‘Complete’ thermocontrol of ion permeation through ternary composite membranes composed of polymer–liquid crystal–fluorocarbon-containing crown ethers

Abstract

Ion (K⁺ and Cs⁺) permeation through a ternary composite membrane composed of polycarbonate–liquid crystal [N-(4-ethoxybenzylidene)-4-butylaniline (EBBA)]–fluorocarbon-containing crown ether (2b) was completely thermocontrolled; ion permeation above T_KN(crystal–nematic liquid crystal phase transition temperature of EBBA) was fast while it was completely suppressed below T_KN.