Studies on syntheses and permeabilities of special polymer membranes. X. Effects of conditions of membrane preparation on permeation characteristics of cellulose acetate membranes in separation of aqueous polymer solutions

Abstract

The effects of casting solvents, dissolution temperature of casting solution, and pH and temperature of gelation solution, etc. on the permeation characteristics of cellulose acetate membranes in the separation of polymers from their aqueous solutions were investigated, using aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(vinyl alcohol) as feed. The permeation characteristics were influenced significantly by the conditions of membrane preparation and of the permeation. It was found that a concentration polarization at the membrane surface occurred with poly(vinyl alcohol) molecules, but it was very small with poly(ethylene glycol). The above results were discussed in detail from points of view of structure of the resulting membranes and the interactions between the solvent, the solute in the feed and the cellulose acetate molecules.