Hollow fiber membranes obtained by simultaneous spinning of two polymer solutions: A morphological study

Cristina C. Pereira*, Ronaldo Nobrega, K. V. Peinemann, Cristiano P. Borges

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

The simultaneous spinning of two polymer solutions by using a triple orifice spinneret presents several benefits such as the possibility of forming each membrane layer by different concepts. However, besides the complexity of the phenomena involved in hollow fiber formation, mass transfer between the polymer solutions requires further investigation. In the present work, the simultaneous spinning of two different polymer solutions to form the top and support layers of the membrane, respectively, was investigated. Polyetherimide and polyethersulfone were used as base polymers. A polymer solution composed of Lewis acid:base complex (adipic acid-Lewis acid, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone- Lewis base), and another composed of a macromolecular additive (polyvinylpyrrolidone) were selected in order to form the support layer. Different polymer solutions composed of a volatile component (tetrahydrofuran) were used for top layer. Water and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone were used at different compositions for the bore liquid, whereas pure water was used for the external precipitation bath. The distance between spinneret and precipitation bath was varied. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Cloud-point experiments were also carried out for characterizing the miscibility region of the polymer solutions. The parameters that allow keeping the stability in the region between the polymer solutions before interpenetration of the solutions seemed to be of greater importance for layers adhesion. According to this, the bore liquid composition seemed to provide an important contribution to fulfill such a requirement.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)35-50
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Membrane Science
Volume226
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2003
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank CAPES and CNPq for C.C. Pereira’s scholarship during her D.Sc. thesis, and CNPq/PADCT (QEQ 62.0229/97-7) for financial support.

Keywords

  • Double layer membranes
  • Gas separation
  • Membrane preparation and structure
  • Simultaneous casting

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • General Materials Science
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Filtration and Separation

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