Mass transfer and thermodynamics during immersion precipitation for a two-polymer system: Evaluation with the system PES-PVP-NMP-water

An extended version of the mass transfer model by Reuvers et al. for a four-component system is evaluated, which is shown to be generally valid for short times. The thermodynamics under these circumstances are evaluated, together with the kinetics. Initial composition paths (concentration profiles) are calculated. It appears that delay of demixing is not possible when a polymeric additive is used, which is soluble in the nonsolvent, while the velocity of demixing decreases. The calculations are evaluated for the system poly(ether sulfone)-poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-N-methylpyrrolidone-water by means of light transmission measurements during immersion precipitation, for a wide range of compositions of the polymer solution and coagulation bath

Linearized cloudpoint curve correlation for ternary systems consisting of one polymer, one solvent and one non-solvent

A linear correlation function is found for cloudpoint composition curves of ternary systems consisting of one polymer, one solvent and one non-solvent. The conditions for validity of this correlation function appear to be that the polymer is strongly incompatible with the non-solvent, and that only liquid-liquid demixing occurs. The linearized cloudpoint (LCP) curve is interpreted in terms of the various parameters occurring in the Flory-Huggins theory. The slope of the LCP line appears to be only dependent on the molar volumes of the components. Information about the binary Flory-Huggins interaction parameters and their concentration dependence can be obtained from the intercept of the linearized curve. Cloudpoints induced by crystallization do not follow the correlation. This gives an opportunity to distinguish between crystallization and liquid-liquid demixing without any additional experiments

Microstructures in phase inversion membranes. Part II. The role of a polymeric additive

Membranes were prepared from a casting solution of a water-soluble polymer, poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), and a membrane forming polymer, poly (ether sulfone), in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as solvent by immersing them in mixtures of water and NMP. It was found that the addition of PVP to the ternary system suppresses the formation of macrovoids in the sub-layer, while the ultrafiltration-type top-layer consists of a closely packed layer of nodules. Using a model for pass transfer in this quaternary system, it is possible to explain the effects of the additive on macrovoid formation. Strong indications are found that the appearance of a nodular structure in the top-layer follows a mechanism of spinodal decomposition during the very early stages of the immersion step

A new spinning technique for hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes

A new spinning technique for hollow fiber membranes with a densified outer toplayer has been developed in our laboratory. This technique makes use of a new type of spinneret having three concentric orifices. Apart from polymer solution and bore liquid as applied in classical spinnerets a third liquid can be pumped through an outer layer. After a certain contact time with the third liquid the nascent hollow fiber membrane meets the coagulation bath. This spinning technique has been applied to produce hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes. The presence of poly-vinylpyrrolidone in the polymer solution is shown to be essential to induce a porous toplayer. Membranes having a waterflux of 275 L-m-2-hr-1-bar-1 and BSA retention of 97% have been spun. Although more research has to be done the first results seem to be very promising

Spinning of hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes from a polymer blend

In this study the dry-wet spinning technique is used for the preparation of hollow fiber membranes. In the polymer solution a blend of two polymers, poly(ether sulfone) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), is used. The morphology of the membranes obtained is related to rheological characteristics and phase behavior of the polymer solution during spinning. The outer surface pore structure is mainly dependent on the conditions in the airgap. The typical performance of the membranes lies in the ultrafiltration region

Characterization of new membrane materials by means of fouling experiments Adsorption of bsa on polyetherimide-polyvinylpyrrolidone membranes

The hydrophilicity of polyetherimide-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PEI-PVP) microfiltration membranes can be adjusted by means of a suitable post-treatment. The influence of the nature of the membrane surface on fouling properties was studied using permeation experiments before and after exposure to a protein (BSA) solution and adsorption experiments with 14C labelled BSA. A correlation between the permeation experiments and the radiolabelled BSA adsorption experiments was found. The PVP in the membrane matrix prevents BSA adsorption taking place to a large extent and it appeared that heat-treated PEI-PVP membranes showed the same nonfouling behaviour as, for example, cellulose acetate membranes