FIELD: chemistry.
SUBSTANCE: method for coagulating a sulfonated block copolymer from a solution is described comprising a block copolymer and one or more organic solvents, and the method comprises: (a) an ejection step that includes ejecting the copolymer solution into or onto mildly stirred water to form a coagulation mixture, wherein the ejection solution of the copolymer is substantially free of water vapour; and water is at the working pressure and at an operating temperature below its boiling point; and (b) a holding step, which comprises moderate stirring the coagulation mixture produced in step (a) under a holding pressure and at a storage temperature below the boiling point of water for a period sufficient to substantially completely evaporate one or more organic solvents.
EFFECT: proposed method for coagulating is simple to implement and eliminates or, at least, reduces the foaming problems and the formation of sulfonated block copolymer microdispersions that can not be successfully or easily separated by conventional filtration or centrifugation.
18 cl, 10 dwg, 1 tbl, 14 ex
