Preparation and characterization of novel porous PVDF-ZrO_2 composite membranes

摘要

Poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF)-ZrO_2 composite membranes were prepared by casting and immersion into a water bath of ternary suspensions obtained by adding additional amounts of ZrO_2 particles to PVDF solutions. Methods to obtain an intimate dispersion of the inorganic particles in the PVDF solutions were developed. A large variety of supported and unsupported membranes were prepared by varying some of the preparative parameters such as: the PVDF solvent (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or triethylphosphate), the total concentration and the PVDF/ ZrO_2 ratio in the ternary dispersion. Membranes were also cast from a binary solution of PVDF and solvent for comparison purposes. All the obtained membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope observations and ultrafiltration tests. The effect of the above-mentioned preparative parameters on the structure, flux and dextran retention properties of the membranes is discussed.