Effect of Adsorption of Charged Macromolecules on Streaming and Membrane Potential Values Measured with a Microporous Polysulfone Membrane

Abstract

Changes in streaming and membrane potentials measured across a commercial microporous polysulfone membrane as a result of the adsorption of differently charged macromolecules were studied. Measurements were carried out with different NaCl solutions (10⁻³ M to 5 × 10⁻²M) and their mixtures with a polyanion (dextran sulfate or DS) and a polycation (diethylaminoethyl or DEAE-dextran). From electrokinetic and electrochemical measurements, information about characteristic membrane parameters (transport number and ionic permselectivity) and membrane/solution interactions (zeta potential) can be obtained. Results show how the adsorption of charged particles affects the electrical parameters of the membrane and also its hydraulic permeability. The concentration dependence of these parameters was also studied.

Key Words:

• Streaming potential
• Membrane potential
• Macro-molecules adsorption
• Zeta potential
• Permselectivity