Determining wetted membrane microstructures using ESEM and DIC microscopy and their implications to membrane performance

摘要

The fabrication of most polymeric nanofiltration membranes is currently more of an 'art' than a 'science', as there is no established relationship linking the fabrication variables, material characteristics when in use (or even wetted) with the performance (separation) characteristics. Consequently, the overall objective of this project is to determine the relationship between nanofiltration membrane fabrication variables, the resulting membrane microstructure when wetted and the characteristics of the separation (flux and rejection) that result from that microstructure.