Image enhancement of polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membrane surface structure for atomic force microscopy

Fritzsche, A. K.; Arevalo, A.R.; Moore, M. D.; Weber, Collin J.; Elings, V.; Kjoller, Kevin; Wu, Cheng‐Yu

doi:10.1002/app.1992.070460116

Cited by 33 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…We therefore expect to find pores smaller than 3.7 nm. Our observed pore size, 3 nm, is consistent with our expectations and that observed by Tong et al (1996) who also imaged polysulfone membranes with a 10 kg/mol MWCO, yet not with the findings of Fritzsche et al (1992b), who reported pores of 7-9 nm in diameter in polyethersulfone UF membranes, nor with the results of Dietz et al (1991) who reported 15-30 nm pores and 12.6-18.8 nm pores (Dietz et al 1992) for membranes of the same MWCO.…”

Section: Discussion and Reviewsupporting

confidence: 92%

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Atomic force microscopy for ultrafiltration membrane imaging

1997

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Summary: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can reveal nanometer-scale structure of samples without the sample preparation techniques that involve dehydration. This is particularly important for hydrophilic organic materials. An asymmetric polysulfone ultrafiltration membrane (molecular weight cutoff rated at 10 kg/mol) was imaged by AFM. Sample mounting methods tried include cyanoacrylate, doublesided tape, and paraffin. Wax and tape bonding did not lead to usable images. Cyanoacrylate bonding resulted in images that appear to show 2.8 × 10 9 pores/m 2 approximately 3 nm in diameter, creating a porosity of 2%. This is consistent with estimates of molecular sizes for 10 kg/mol proteins, but not with the results of other AFM studies of similar membranes. The discrepancies can be explained largely by differences in sample preparation techniques.

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Section: Discussion and Reviewsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…The observed difference may also be linked to differences in sample preparation techniques. The measurements by Fritzsche et al (1992b) were performed in ethanol rather than in water (used by Tong et al and this study). Polysulfones can absorb 22% water within a 24-h period (Billmeyer 1984).…”

Section: Discussion and Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atomic force microscopy for ultrafiltration membrane imaging

1997

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“…Atomic force microscopy has often been used for characterization of pore structure and surface morphology of polymeric membranes 17, 34–43. Although even the highest achievable resolutions of AFM are not sufficient to observe features, which directly control gas transport properties of polymeric films, the comparison of AFM images is thought to be useful in accessing the effect of solvent on surface morphology of polymeric films.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of solvent on properties of solution‐cast dense SPPO films

Kruczek

Matsuura

2003

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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ABSTRACT:The effect of solvent on properties of solution-cast dense films was investigated using high molecular weight sulfonated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (SPPO) and five different solvents having relatively similar molar volumes. The study revealed that polymer-solvent interactions existing in casting solution primarily determine the concentration of residual solvent and surface morphology of the films. On the other hand, the O 2 and CO 2 permeabilities, which for most permeable films were more than three times greater than for the least permeable ones, appear to be governed by the volatility of solvent in casting solution. At the same time, the more permeable films showed lower O 2 /N 2 and CO 2 /CH 4 permeability ratios than the less permeable ones. In addition to physical factors such as polymer-solvent interactions and volatility of solvent in casting solution, the differences in gas transport properties of SPPO films could arise from the formation of quaternary salts-in particular, in the case of films prepared from the pyridine solution. The analysis of casting solution properties, surface images by atomic force microscopy, and gas transport properties allowed us to associate defective structures of some SPPO films with a specific surface morphology and a particular combination of solvent properties.

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“…The membrane was placed in ethanol before examination because this approach improved the resolution of the AFM image. 13 The performance of the membranes was tested by UF experiments in a flat sheet module with an effective membrane area of 112 cm 2 and a 0.4-cm channel height. The transport properties of the membrane with reference to water and the BSA solution (0.75 g/dm 3 ) were tested at a constant The potential of the membrane was measured by the Dip cell method.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%