Preparation of Polymeric Membranes

Abstract

This chapter mainly describes the principles of membrane formation process for polymeric membranes. With a brief introduction of relevant background information such as various membranes and membrane processes, a comprehensive list of polymer materials, which are suitable for making membranes, has been given. The most common technique used to prepare polymeric membranes – phase inversion process, including thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) and diffusion induced phase separation (DIPS), is discussed in detail. The thermodynamic behavior of the casting polymer solution, the process of membrane formation, and the fabrication of hollow fiber and flat sheet membranes are involved.