Electrochemical Synthesis of Ultrathin Film Composite Membranes
Abstract
The development of ultrathin film composite membranes was an important breakthrough in the membranes-separation area. Ultrathin film composite membranes consist of a porous support layer, and a dense, ultrathin active layer. The porous support layer provides mechanical strength yet is highly permeable. The separation process occurs primarily in the ultrathin active layer; because this layer is thin, the overall flux of permeate through the membrane is high. Thus, ultrathin film composite membranes can provide good mechanical strength, high selectivity, and high permeability. This combination of attributes usually cannot be obtained with homogeneous membranes. We have developed a new method for preparing ultrathin film composite membranes. This method involves electrochemically-initiated polymerization at a microporous support-membrane surface and yields an ultrathin polymer film on one face of the support-membrane. Composite membranes with separating layers as thin as 50 nm have been prepared using this new electrosynthetic method. We describe the synthesis and characterization of these new membranes in this correspondence. Keywords: Composite membranes; Porous support layer; Flux of permeate; Polymerization, Microporous support-membrane surface; Electrosynthetic method; Composite materials; Ultrathin film; Composite membranes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 05, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA219041
Entities
People
- Chao Liu
- Charles R. Martin
- Mark W. Espenscheid
- Wen-janq Chen
Organizations
- Texas A&M University