Modification and performance of PAN support membrane for composite nanofiltration membranes

Abstract

PAN support membranes were prepd. by wet phase-inversion method, and the membranes were modified in order to make the nitrile group hydrolyze into the carboxyl group. To compare the performances of the membranes before and after modifying, the membrane morphol. was obsd. by means of environmental scanning elec. microscopy (ESEM) and hydrophilicity was studied by the detn. of contact angle of the membranes. Addnl., the membranes were investigated by the help of IR spectrum (FTIR). The result showed that the modified membranes were more hydrophilic than the unmodified membranes due to the carboxyl groups on the former and the performances of the former were better than the latter.