Fabrication and characterization of microfiltration blended membranes

Abstract

Woven Kevlar fabric supported polypropylene (PP)–thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blended microfiltration membranes were synthesized using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) technique. Microporosity in the fabricated membranes was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The PP–TPU blending was confirmed through the Fourier transform infrared spectra of pure resins and blended polymer membranes. Surface roughness, pore geometry, and adhesion between the blended polymer and fabric were influenced with increasing TPU blending concentration in the PP solution. The proposed polymers were found compatible with each other and properly blended to form membranes; most importantly, the TPU helped to transform hydrophobic PP membrane into hydrophilic PP–TPU membrane. Water and methanol flux through the fabricated membranes were measured, and it was found that the permeation through the membranes depended upon the type of membrane.

Keywords:

• Polypropylene (PP)
• Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
• Thermally induced phase separation (TIPS)
• Blended membrane
• Hydrophobic
• Hydrophilic
• Contact angle