Fabricating PC/PAN composite membranes by vapor-induced phase separation

Abstract

In this study, a series of polycarbonate/polyacrylonitrile (PC/PAN) composite membrane has been successfully fabricated by vapor-induced phase separation and in-situ casting process. The effect of the casting solution concentration on the membrane morphology was investigated. The morphology of the PC/PAN composite membranes was characterized by SEM. The effect of the skin layer thickness on the water flux was measured at a fixed pressure. Compared with the traditional asymmetric PAN membrane with a dense skin layer and porous support layer, the PC/PAN composite membranes prepared by in-situ casting process effectively prevent the skin layer formation, resulting in the water flux increases.

Effects of polymer molecular weight, concentration, and role of polyethylene glycol as additive on polyacrylonitrile homopolymer membranes

“…This results to increased resistance against the movement of water (non‐solvent) leading to denser membrane structure. Therefore, finger‐like pores are diminished with increase in PAN concentration . Similar type of observation is reported in the literature .…”

“…Therefore, finger‐like pores are diminished with increase in PAN concentration . Similar type of observation is reported in the literature . Lower polymer concentration results to a porous and permeable membrane.…”

Surface anti-biofouling control of PEGylated poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes via vapor-induced phase separation processing

“…In our previous study, polysulfone, a major polymer in membrane technology used in hemodialysis or waste water recovery, was tested regarding the anti-biofouling properties of matrices [24]. But because polysulfone is usually processed to prepare non-porous surfaces as well as membranes for ultrafiltration applications, it was decided to test another range of potential low-biofouling membranes.…”

“…Yet, the slowness of mass transfers at the gas-liquid interface allows an outstanding control and tuning of membrane formation as long as the important parameters are well controlled and properly chosen [17][18][19][20][21][22]. This control of mass transfers is evidenced in literature by a whole set of possible morphologies such as cellular [23], nodular [24] and bicontinuous [25]. In addition, the control of membrane structuring is also critical when it comes to low-biofouling membrane: the surface grafting densities of PEO chains onto the hydrophobic base must be tuned in order to obtain a PEGylated membrane surface with biofouling-resistant characteristics.…”

Design of near-superhydrophobic/superoleophilic PVDF and PP membranes for the gravity-driven breaking of water-in-oil emulsions

“…Pore size of membranes was measured with a capillary flow porometer (CFP-1500-AXEL, PMI) according to a protocol described earlier [32] . The porosity was evaluated by immersing dry membranes in ethanol (Aldrich).…”