Permeability characterization of hydroxypropylcellulose/ polyacrylonitrile blend membranes

• Published in: e-Polymers 2013-12, Vol.13 (1), p.153-162
• Main Authors: Li, Hui, Gong, Guo-li, Gong, Tai-sheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coagulation; Flux; Materials science; Membranes; Phase inversion; Phase shift; Polymers; Porosity; Raw materials; Retention
• ISSN: 2197-4586; 1618-7229
• DOI: 10.1515/epoly-2013-0115

A series of blend membranes were prepared by immersion precipitation phase inversion method using hydroxypropylcellulose and polyacrylonitrile as raw materials. The effects of casting conditions on membrane’s characterization were studied. The properties of resulting blend membranes were that water flux decreased from 489 L·h ·m to 312 L·h ·m ; retention rate increased from 80.1% to 91.8%; and corresponding porosity presented increasing trend but changed little within the range of casting solution concentrations from 10 wt % to 16 wt %. The greater the mass fraction of HPC in casting solution, the greater the water flux of blend membranes. Prolonging the atmosphere exposing time, water flux increased from 268 L·h ·m about 20s to 372 L·h ·m about 60 s, then decreased to 340 L·h ·m about 75s. In addition, retention rate decreased from 91.2% to 81.3%. Porosity tend to decrease but changed a little. With the coagulation bath temperature rising, water flux of blend membranes increased from 306 L·h ·m about 20 C to 429 L·h ·m about 35 C, and corresponding retention rate decreased from 87.9% to 82.5%, porosity decreased from 80.23% to 68.26%.