AU2005259840B2 - Hydrophilic membranes - Google Patents
Hydrophilic membranes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2005259840B2 AU2005259840B2 AU2005259840A AU2005259840A AU2005259840B2 AU 2005259840 B2 AU2005259840 B2 AU 2005259840B2 AU 2005259840 A AU2005259840 A AU 2005259840A AU 2005259840 A AU2005259840 A AU 2005259840A AU 2005259840 B2 AU2005259840 B2 AU 2005259840B2
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- polymer
- halar
- membrane
- pvp
- persulfate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 title claims description 123
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 65
- 229920001780 ECTFE Polymers 0.000 claims description 57
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 51
- 238000001471 micro-filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 34
- 238000000108 ultra-filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 34
- JRKICGRDRMAZLK-UHFFFAOYSA-L persulfate group Chemical group S(=O)(=O)([O-])OOS(=O)(=O)[O-] JRKICGRDRMAZLK-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 24
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 24
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 21
- 239000002585 base Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- -1 ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene Chemical group 0.000 claims description 18
- 239000003999 initiator Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 229920001897 terpolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 229920001519 homopolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000460 chlorine Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910052801 chlorine Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 8
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 229920013730 reactive polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M Chloride anion Chemical compound [Cl-] VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004132 cross linking Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920002959 polymer blend Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- BQCIDUSAKPWEOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1-Difluoroethene Chemical compound FC(F)=C BQCIDUSAKPWEOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- HCDGVLDPFQMKDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N hexafluoropropylene Chemical group FC(F)=C(F)C(F)(F)F HCDGVLDPFQMKDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- BFKJFAAPBSQJPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N tetrafluoroethene Chemical group FC(F)=C(F)F BFKJFAAPBSQJPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical group C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 claims description 4
- WQDUMFSSJAZKTM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sodium methoxide Chemical group [Na+].[O-]C WQDUMFSSJAZKTM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000003513 alkali Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920005603 alternating copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- WMFOQBRAJBCJND-UHFFFAOYSA-M lithium hydroxide Inorganic materials [Li+].[OH-] WMFOQBRAJBCJND-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 4
- KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M potassium hydroxide Inorganic materials [OH-].[K+] KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 4
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000005977 Ethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002033 PVDF binder Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Potassium Chemical compound [K] ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052783 alkali metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 150000001412 amines Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- ROOXNKNUYICQNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N ammonium persulfate Chemical compound [NH4+].[NH4+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)OOS([O-])(=O)=O ROOXNKNUYICQNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- CQEYYJKEWSMYFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N butyl acrylate Chemical compound CCCCOC(=O)C=C CQEYYJKEWSMYFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- UUAGAQFQZIEFAH-UHFFFAOYSA-N chlorotrifluoroethylene Chemical group FC(F)=C(F)Cl UUAGAQFQZIEFAH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- XUCNUKMRBVNAPB-UHFFFAOYSA-N fluoroethene Chemical compound FC=C XUCNUKMRBVNAPB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052736 halogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 150000002367 halogens Chemical group 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001477 hydrophilic polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-M hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-] XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- VPECBMWWPBJWRJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-chloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethene;fluoroethene Chemical compound FC=C.FC(F)=C(F)Cl VPECBMWWPBJWRJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- OEPOKWHJYJXUGD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(3-phenylmethoxyphenyl)-1,3-thiazole-4-carbaldehyde Chemical compound O=CC1=CSC(C=2C=C(OCC=3C=CC=CC=3)C=CC=2)=N1 OEPOKWHJYJXUGD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical group [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- BZHJMEDXRYGGRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Vinyl chloride Chemical compound ClC=C BZHJMEDXRYGGRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910001870 ammonium persulfate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- AXCZMVOFGPJBDE-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium dihydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[OH-].[Ca+2] AXCZMVOFGPJBDE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000920 calcium hydroxide Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910001861 calcium hydroxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000178 monomer Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- RPDAUEIUDPHABB-UHFFFAOYSA-N potassium ethoxide Chemical compound [K+].CC[O-] RPDAUEIUDPHABB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- USHAGKDGDHPEEY-UHFFFAOYSA-L potassium persulfate Chemical compound [K+].[K+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)OOS([O-])(=O)=O USHAGKDGDHPEEY-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 2
- AWDMDDKZURRKFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N potassium;propan-1-olate Chemical compound [K+].CCC[O-] AWDMDDKZURRKFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 claims description 2
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- QDRKDTQENPPHOJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium ethoxide Chemical compound [Na+].CC[O-] QDRKDTQENPPHOJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- CHQMHPLRPQMAMX-UHFFFAOYSA-L sodium persulfate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)OOS([O-])(=O)=O CHQMHPLRPQMAMX-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 2
- RCOSUMRTSQULBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium;propan-1-olate Chemical compound [Na+].CCC[O-] RCOSUMRTSQULBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000001179 sorption measurement Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- FAGUFWYHJQFNRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N tetraethylenepentamine Chemical group NCCNCCNCCNCCN FAGUFWYHJQFNRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002351 wastewater Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Fluoride anion Chemical compound [F-] KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims 1
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 125000002573 ethenylidene group Chemical group [*]=C=C([H])[H] 0.000 claims 1
- BDAWXSQJJCIFIK-UHFFFAOYSA-N potassium methoxide Chemical compound [K+].[O-]C BDAWXSQJJCIFIK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- WSTYDEJXBVROKI-UHFFFAOYSA-J tetrasodium sulfonatooxy sulfate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)OOS([O-])(=O)=O.[O-]S(=O)(=O)OOS([O-])(=O)=O WSTYDEJXBVROKI-UHFFFAOYSA-J 0.000 claims 1
- WHNWPMSKXPGLAX-UHFFFAOYSA-N N-Vinyl-2-pyrrolidone Chemical compound C=CN1CCCC1=O WHNWPMSKXPGLAX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 34
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 28
- 239000003518 caustics Substances 0.000 description 26
- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 description 25
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 23
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 22
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 20
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 16
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 11
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycerine Chemical compound OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 235000011121 sodium hydroxide Nutrition 0.000 description 7
- ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chlorine atom Chemical compound [Cl] ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 4
- CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ozone Chemical compound [O-][O+]=O CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 241000700605 Viruses Species 0.000 description 3
- 239000003607 modifier Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000001556 precipitation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 2
- 229920006370 Kynar Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920006373 Solef Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 150000004703 alkoxides Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000013626 chemical specie Substances 0.000 description 2
- FYUWIEKAVLOHSE-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethenyl acetate;1-ethenylpyrrolidin-2-one Chemical compound CC(=O)OC=C.C=CN1CCCC1=O FYUWIEKAVLOHSE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000002427 irreversible effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- NBTOZLQBSIZIKS-UHFFFAOYSA-N methoxide Chemical compound [O-]C NBTOZLQBSIZIKS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000005191 phase separation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001343 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002981 polyvinylidene fluoride Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000001223 reverse osmosis Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012028 Fenton's reagent Substances 0.000 description 1
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000001340 alkali metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- VAZSKTXWXKYQJF-UHFFFAOYSA-N ammonium persulfate Chemical compound [NH4+].[NH4+].[O-]S(=O)OOS([O-])=O VAZSKTXWXKYQJF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003373 anti-fouling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012298 atmosphere Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000004432 carbon atom Chemical group C* 0.000 description 1
- 238000007385 chemical modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005056 compaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006704 dehydrohalogenation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010612 desalination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000502 dialysis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000706 filtrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002431 hydrogen Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- MGZTXXNFBIUONY-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydrogen peroxide;iron(2+);sulfuric acid Chemical compound [Fe+2].OO.OS(O)(=O)=O MGZTXXNFBIUONY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000005660 hydrophilic surface Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001600 hydrophobic polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000005661 hydrophobic surface Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000004679 hydroxides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000011221 initial treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002978 peroxides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920002492 poly(sulfone) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910052700 potassium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011591 potassium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000746 purification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000011149 sulphuric acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000008961 swelling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002145 thermally induced phase separation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003612 virological effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004383 yellowing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2323/00—Details relating to membrane preparation
- B01D2323/30—Cross-linking
Landscapes
- Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
Description
WO 2006/002479 PCT/AU2005/000975 1 HYDROPHILIC MEMBRANES TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to polymeric membranes having a hydrophilic layer 5 grafted to the surface thereof and to methods for the preparation of such membranes. The invention particularly relates to the field of ultrafiltration and microfiltration. BACKGROUND ART 10 The following discussion is not to be construed as an admission with regard to the state of the common general knowledge. Synthetic polymeric membranes are well known in the field of ultrafiltration and microfiltration for a variety of applications including desalination, gas separation, filtration and dialysis. The properties of the membranes vary depending on the 15 morphology of the membrane i.e. properties such as symmetry, pore shape, pore size and the chemical nature of the polymeric material used to form the membrane. Different membranes can be used for specific separation processes, including microfiltration, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. Microfiltration and ultrafiltration are pressure driven processes and are distinguished by the size of the 20 particle or molecule that the membrane is capable of retaining or passing. Microfiltration can remove very fine colloidal particles in the micrometer and submicrometer range. As a general rule, microfiltration can filter particles down to 0.05pm, whereas ultrafiltration can retain particles as small as 0.01 pm and smaller. Reverse Osmosis operates on an even smaller scale. 25 Microporous phase inversion membranes are particularly well suited to the application of removal of viruses and bacteria. A large surface area is needed when a large filtrate flow is required. A commonly used technique to minimize the size of the apparatus used is to form a membrane in the shape of a hollow porous fibre. A large number of these hollow 30 fibres (up to several thousand) are bundled together and housed in modules. The fibres act in parallel to filter a solution for purification, generally water, which flows in contact with the outer surface of all the fibres in the module. By applying pressure, the water is forced into the central channel, or lumen, of each of the fibres while the microcontaminants remain trapped outside the fibres. The filtered water collects 35 inside the fibres and is drawn off through the ends.
WO 2006/002479 PCT/AU2005/000975 2 The fibre module configuration is a highly desirable one as it enables the modules to achieve a very high surface area per unit volume. In addition to the arrangement of fibres in a module, it is also necessary for the polymeric fibres themselves to possess the appropriate microstructure to allow 5 microfiltration to occur. Desirably, the microstructure of ultrafiltration and microfiltration membranes is asymmetric, that is, the pore size gradient across the membrane is not homogeneous, but rather varies in relation to the cross-sectional distance within the membrane. Hollow fibre membranes are preferably asymmetric membranes 10 possessing tightly bunched small pores on one or both outer surfaces and larger more open pores towards the inside edge of the membrane wall. This microstructure has been found to be advantageous as it provides a good balance between mechanical strength and filtration efficiency. As well as the microstructure, the chemical properties of the membrane are 15 also important. The hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of a membrane is one such important property. Hydrophobic surfaces are defined as "water hating" and hydrophilic surfaces as "water loving". Many of the polymers used to cast porous membranes are hydrophobic polymers. Water can be forced through a hydrophobic membrane by 20 use of sufficient pressure, but the pressure needed is very high (150-300 psi), and a membrane may be damaged at such pressures and generally does not become wetted evenly. Hydrophobic microporous membranes are typically characterised by their excellent chemical resistance, biocompatibility, low swelling and good separation 25 performance. Thus, when used in water filtration applications, hydrophobic membranes need to be hydrophilised or "wet out" to allow water permeation. It is also important that membranes have a high resistance to aggressive chemical species typically found in water requiring filtration, in particular, to oxidising agents and conditions of high pH (i.e. caustic solutions). In particular with water 30 filtration membranes, chlorine resistance is highly desirable. Chlorine is used to kill bacteria and is invariably present in town water supplies. Even at low concentrations, a high throughput of chlorinated water can expose membranes to large amounts of chlorine over the working life of a membrane can lead to yellowing or brittleness which are signs of degradation of the membrane.
-3 Currently, poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) are the most popular and available hydrophobic membrane materials. However, the search for membrane materials which will provide better chemical stability and performance while retaining the desired physical properties 5 required to allow the membranes to be formed and worked in an appropriate manner has suggested that halogentated polymers may be suitable. In particular, Halar ultrafiltration (UF) membranes have been found to be superior in nearly every way to any unsupported hollow-fibre UF membrane on the market. 10 Microporous synthetic membranes are particularly suitable for use in hollow fibres and are produced by phase inversion. In this process, at least one polymer is dissolved in an appropriate solvent and a suitable viscosity of the solution is achieved. The polymer solution can be cast as a film or hollow fibre, and then immersed in precipitation bath such as water. This causes separation of the homogeneous polymer 15 solution into a solid polymer and liquid solvent phase. The precipitated polymer forms a porous structure containing a network of uniform pores. Production parameters that affect the membrane structure and properties include the polymer concentration, the precipitation media and temperature and the amount of solvent and non-solvent in the polymer solution. These factors can be varied to produce microporous membranes with 20 a large range of pore sizes (from less than 0.1 to 20pm), and possess a variety of chemical, thermal and mechanical properties. Hollow fibre ultrafiltration and microfiltration membranes are generally produced by either diffusion induced phase separation (the DIPS process) or by thermally induced phase separation (the TIPS process). 25 The TIPS process is described in more detail in PCT AU91/00198 (WO 91/17204) AU 653528, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The quickest procedure for forming a microporous system is thermal precipitation of a two component mixture, in which the solution is formed by dissolving a thermoplastic polymer in a solvent which will dissolve the polymer at an elevated 30 temperature but will not do so at lower temperatures. Such a solvent is often called a latent solvent for the polymer. The solution is cooled and, at a specific temperature which depends upon the rate of cooling, phase separation occurs and the polymer rich phase separates from the solvent.
WO 2006/002479 PCT/AU2005/000975 4 The term "solvent" as used herein will be understood by those in the art to encompass: single component mixtures and multiple component mixtures. Multiple component mixtures may include, in addition to solvent components, one or more non-solvents. 5 In the present case the inventors have sought to find a way to modify polymers and polymeric membranes made from halogenated polymers to enhance the range of applications in which they may be used, while at the same time, retaining the good intrinsic resistance of the material to chemical, physical and mechanical degradation. One such polymer is halar. 10 Halar, or poly (ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene), is a 1:1 alternating copolymer of ethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene with the following structure:
-(-CH
2
-CH
2 -CFCl-CF 2 -)n Halar and related membranes have extremely good chemical resistance to species such as chlorine, peroxide and ozone, and are stable over a wide range of 15 pHs (0-14) Processes used to produce flat sheet Halar membranes are disclosed for example in US 4702836. The properties of Halar make it highly desirable in the field of ultrafiltration and microfiltration. In particular, Halar has extremely good properties in relation to its resistance both to chlorine and to caustic solutions, but 20 also to ozone and other strong oxidising agents. Halar membranes also have good mechanical and structural properties. Halar produces membranes of near-perfect sub-structure, with little or no defects or macrovoids. Good permeabilities, in the range of 300-1000 Imh/bar can be achieved. Halar membranes, particularly hollow fibre membranes, have a good 25 break extension, of greater than 00%, a break force in excess of 2N and exhibit high flexibility with little or no brittleness. As a result of this good integrity, Halar membranes have been able to achieve log virus retentions (LRV) of 4, ie better than 1 in 10,000 viral particles removed. 30 -However, Halar and related membranes are not without some drawbacks. They have a tendency to exhibit reasonable performance initially, but after a relatively short time in use, can suffer from irreversible fouling, pore-compaction or both. In the present case the inventors have sought to find a way to modify 35 polymers and polymeric membranes made from halogenated polymer such as Halar WO 2006/002479 PCT/AU2005/000975 5 to enhance the range of applications in which they may be used, while at the same time, retaining the good intrinsic resistance of the material to chemical, physical and mechanical degradation. The most desirable modification is to render the material hydrophilic. 5 Hydrophilisation of membranes with agents such as PVP has been attempted previously. US 5,376,274 and US 5,629,084 both disclose coating a polysulfone membrane with a PVP/initiator (persulfate) solution and then heating the soaked membrane to crosslink the PVP. This was successful in converting the hydrophobic membrane into a hydrophilic one to improve the wettability of the 10 membrane for filtering aqueous solutions. However, the treatment is of a very short term nature and only a minor increase in the time to irreversible fouling is realised. Halar, because of its very inertness, is not readily amendable to functionalisation or chemical modification, and for this reason, has not been used as widely as some other membrane forming polymers which are less resistant to 15 environmental degradation. Attempts to hydrophilise Halar in the past have proved difficult for this very reason. One approach to hydrophilising halar membranes carried out by the present applicant has been to remove HCI from the polymer by exposure to aqueous solutions of alkali earth hydroxides or alkoxides, such as caustic soda or sodium 20 methoxide to produce an activated form of halar possessing double bonds at the surface of the polymer. The activated halar is then treated with an oxidising agent, such Fenton's reagent, which acts as a source of hydroxyl radicals. The hydroxyl radicals react with the double bonds to produce a hydroxylated form of halar which is more hydrophilic than unmodified halar. This is disclosed in AU 2004903680, the 25 contents of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety in the present application. This hydroxylated form of halar is also more amenable to reaction with other chemical species. However, alternative approaches for the long term hydrophilisation of hydrophobic membranes are still desirable. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one 30 of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative, particularly in terms of methods of production. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in 35 the sense of "including, but not limited to".
-6 DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect, the invention provides a method of coating a polymer bearing at least one X group and at least one H; comprising the step of treating said polymer with an activating agent to remove HX from the polymer to produce a reactive 5 polymer, and reacting said reactive polymer with a reactive coating to produce a coated polymer; wherein said reactive coating is a hydrophilic polymer and wherein X is a halogen. Preferably, the polymer bears at least one X group, where X is F or Cl, and at least one H. 10 The polymer which bears at least one X group may be a wholly or partially halogenated homopolymer, copolymer or terpolymer, one or more wholly or partially halogenated homopolymers, copolymers or terpolymers, or a blend of one or more wholly or partially halogenated homopolymers, copolymers or terpolymers with any miscible non-halogenated polymer, polymer blend or polymer mixture. 15 Preferably, the polymer has at least one X (halogen) bonded to a carbon in a position a to a hydrogen, that is, it is preferred if the X and the H are on adjacent carbon atoms. Specific examples of halogenated polymers suitable for use in the present invention are PVdF (poly vinylidene fluoride) homopolymer, for example Kynar @ or Solef 20 @, Ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (Halar) or Ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene terpolymer with n-butyl acrylate; terpolymers of Vinyl Fluoride/Chloride; Vinylidene Fluoride/Chlo ride; Hexafluoropropylene, Chlorotrifluoroethlyene, Tetrafluoroethylene. Most preferably, the polymer is halar, or poly (ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene), a 1:1 alternating copolymer of ethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene, and having the 25 following structure:
-(-CH
2
-CH
2 -CFCl-CF 2 -)n Altematively, any polymer resistant to base attack containing or formed from and miscible with one or more of the following monomers may be used: chlorotrifluoroethylene vinyl fluoride, vinyl chloride; vinylidene fluoride/ vinylidene chloride; hexafluoropropylene, 30 chlorotrifluoroethlyene, tetrafluoroethylene. Preferably, the activating agent acts to removes HX from the polymer to produce a reactive polymer. Preferably, the activating agent is a base. Preferably the base is an alkali earth hydroxide, more particularly sodium, potassium, lithium or calcium hydroxide. Alternatively, the base may be an alkali metal 35 alkoxide, such as sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, sodium propoxide, potassium -7 methoxide, potassium ethoxide, potassium propoxide and the like. As a further alternative, a strong amine base maybe used, such as tetraethylene pentamine. Preferably, once in its reactive form, the polymer bears a double bond. Preferably the reactive coating is a hydrophilic polymer. Most preferably, the 5 reactive coating is PVP. Preferably, the reactive coating is reacted to the reactive polymer in the presence of an initiator. One preferred initiator is persulfate, (S 2 0 8 2 ). Preferably the persulfate is in the form of potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, sodium di persulfate or sodium mono-persulfate. 10 According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method of hydrophilising a Halar polymer comprising the step of modifying the polymer to incorporate a cross linkable group, where applicable, and treating said polymer containing a cross-linkable group with a cross-linkable hydrophilising agent, and applying cross-linking conditions. Alternatively, a reactive coating in can be applied to a polymer naturally bearing 15 a cross linkable functionality in the presence of an initiator to hydrophilise the polymer. Preferably the crosslinkable functionality is a double bond Preferably the crosslinkable hydrophilising agent is PVP. Preferably the cross linking conditions involve the use of an initiator and/or cross linking radiation. A preferred initiator is persulfate. 20 According to a third aspect, the invention provides a method of hydrophilising a Halar microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane comprising the steps of: i) treating said halar microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane with a base to eliminate HCI and produce a base treated polymer; and ii) treating said base treated polymer with PVP in the presence of a cross 25 linking initiator to produce a halar microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane with a crosslinked surface coating of PVP. Preferably the initiator is a persulfate anion. According to a fourth aspect the invention provides a Halar microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane prepared according to the method of the present invention with 30 a crosslinked surface coating of PVP. Preferably, the membranes of the present invention are asymmetric membranes, which have a large pore face and a small pore face, and a pore size gradient which runs across the membrane cross section. The membranes may be flat sheet, or more preferably, hollow fibre membranes. 35 According to a fifth aspect, the invention provides a functionalised membrane according to the present invention for use: in the microfiltration or ultrafiltration of water -8 and wastewater; as an affinity membrane; as protein adsorption; or in processes requiring bio-compatible functionalised membranes. BEST METHOD OF PERFORMING THE INVENTION 5 The present invention is disclosed herein with respect to polymeric ultrafiltration membranes or microfiltration membranes. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the method can be applied to any appropriate polymeric material where modifications of the kind described are desirable. Any article prepared from a suitable polymer may be hydrophilised in accordance with the present invention. 10 As mentioned above, the present invention can be carried out upon any polymeric microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane which bears at least one X group; and may be a wholly or partially halogenated homopolymer, copolymer or terpolymer, one or more wholly or partially halogenated homopolymers, copolymers or terpolymers, or a blend of one or more wholly or partially halogenated homopolymers, copolymers or 15 terpolymers with any miscible non-halogenated polymer, polymer blend or polymer mixture. Specific examples of halogenated polymers suitable for use in the present invention are PVdF (poly vinylidene fluoride) homopolymer, for example Kynar @, Solef @, Ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (Halar) or Ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene 20 terpolymer with n-butyl acrylate (Halar XPM2); terpolymers of Vinyl Fluoride/Chloride; Vinylidene Fluoride/Chloride; Hexafluoropropylene, Chlorotrifluoroethlyene, Tetrafluoroethylene. The present invention will be described with particular reference to halar, the most preferred compound of the present invention. Halar is a 1:1 alternating copolymer of 25 ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer.
-(CH
2
-CH
2 -CCl 2
-CCIF),
Halar membranes in the form of hollow fibres were prepared according to the 30 method disclosed in PCT AU91/00198 (WO 91/17204) and AU 653528, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Halar membranes used in the experiment were either microfiltration (MF) membranes (nominal pore size = 0.1pm) or ultrafiltration (UF) membranes (nominal pore size = 0.01pm). The polymer, halar, used for both membrane types was identical. 35 A halar membrane with PVP bound to the surface was prepared. In order to do this, opportunities for a reaction between PVP and otherwise inert halar polymer first -9 needed to be created. The first step in the process was carried out by treatment of halar with a concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide to generate double bonds (via dehydrohalogenation) on the membrane surface that can react with radicals. The elimination of HX, which in the case of halar is HCI, was more specifically 5 carried out by treating a preformed polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane with a 20 wt% caustic solution at 80-1200C for a period of between 30 minutes and 4 hours. The membrane was then removed from the caustic solution and rinsed with water for 1-2 hours, until the pH of the solution was neutral. The fibres underwent a colour change from white to dark beige/brown during the caustic treatment, known from 10 experience to be evidence that double bonds are forming. The effect of the length of exposure to caustic solution was investigated and it was established that fibres treated for two hours or longer in caustic were wetting in water after post treatment. The conditions for successful modification of the halar membrane were found to 15 be unexpectedly mild. Halar UF membranes could be successfully made hydrophilic by initial treatment of the membrane with 30wt% caustic at 40 0 C for 168hrs (7 days), followed by a treatment of the membrane with PVP at 40 0 C for 2 hours. The reaction was accelerated by using higher temperatures, but the permeability was detrimentally affected in the case of UF membranes. 20 Once the caustic treatment was performed, the membrane is then allowed to react with PVP and free radicals arising from an initiator such as persulfate.
WO 2006/002479 PCT/AU2005/000975 10 Modified membranes prepared according to the present invention suffer minimal loss of properties. Hydraulic/mechanical properties and chemical resistance appear largely unaffected. Initial non-optimised samples tested for Virus rejection gave LRV > 3.5. 5 In use, halar membranes are likely to be exposed to high concentrations of oxidisers like chlorine and ozone. These oxidising agents can provide satisfactory cleaning of the membrane well but are also known to degrade PVP, and can eliminate any advantage in those prior art systems where the PVP is not bound to the membrane. 10 Binding the coating to the membrane surface in accordance with the present invention improves the resistance of the hydrophilic layer to oxidation. Even when the coating is partially oxidised, it appears that fragments of hydrophilising polymer remain bound to the surface, beneficially affecting the anti-fouling characteristic of the membrane. 15 Experimental, Results & Discussion All of the experiments had the same general procedure of caustic treatment with subsequent surface modification as set out below. All percentages are by weight. 20 1. Wetting with ethanol (if fibres are not already stored in water) (0.5hr) 2. Water wash (0.5hr) 3. Soak in concentrated NaOH solution (0.5hr) 4. NaOH treatment at elevated temperature for various lengths of time 25 5. Water wash (2-3hrs) 6. Soak in PVP/Persulfate solution (1-2hr) 7. Treatment at elevated temperature (1-2hr) in 100% humid atmosphere 8. Water wash (>2hrs) 30 9. Soak in 20% Glycerol MF Fibres The reactions were initially carried out on microfiltration membranes with a pore size of 0.1pm. Samples were exposed to a 20% caustic solution at a 35 temperature of 90 0 C for 21 hrs (overnight). The treatment was otherwise as above WO 2006/002479 PCT/AU2005/000975 11 with the exception that all fibres were washed in ethanol for 3hrs immediately after treatment with persulfate. Control #1 was a completely untreated sample. Control #2 was a sample 5 exposed only to the persulfate treatment only. Control #3 had no PVP included; the persulfate treatment consisted of initiator alone. Membrane samples were initially white and turned brown on caustic treatment. Treatment with persulfate/PVP treatment caused a colour change from 10 brown to light beige.
WO 2006/002479 PCT/AU2005/000975 12 TABLE I MF Experiments Control Control Control #1 #2 #3 a b c d OD 650 650 650 650 650 650 650 ID 310 310 310 310 310 310 310 NaOH % 20 20 20 20 20 Oven temp (OC) 90 90 90 90 90 Time in Caustic (hr) 18 18 18 18 18 Persulfate (%) 5 5 5 5 5 5 H2SO4 (%) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 PVP (%) 0.5 1 0.5 0.35 0.1 PVP-VA (%) 0.5 1 0.5 0.35 0.1 Total Modifier (%) 1 0 2 1 0.7 0.2 Time in Persulfate (hr) 18 18 18 18 18 18 Oven temp (OC) 90 90 90 90 90 90 Time in Oven (hr) 2 2 2 2 2 2 Time Washing (hr) 4 4 4 4 4 4 Hydrophilic (Y/N)? N N N Y Y Y Y Permeability (Imh/bar) 1487 0 0 517 1565 1473 1932 WO 2006/002479 PCT/AU2005/000975 13 The permeability of the samples was evaluated as-is. Apart from control 1, which was wet with ethanol, the samples were wet only with water. All samples treated with both caustic and PVP/Persulfate became clearly 5 hydrophilic, as a permeability for treated samples could be obtained. Given that the permeability of the samples with a PVP or PVP/VA concentration of 1% (b - d) have a permeability at least equal to the untreated sample (Control #1), the MF membrane porosity is affected by concentrations greater than this. The permeability of the membrane with the lowest concentration 10 of PVP (d) is also similar to the control. This indicates that concentrations as low as 0.2% PVP are sufficient to impart hydrophilicity to the membrane. It is clear from Control #3 that the absence of PVP prevents the membrane from becoming hydrophilic, despite receiving an otherwise identical treatment. Thus it can be concluded that the PVP is required to generate hydrophilicity. 15 Surprisingly however, Control #2 was not hydrophilic. This suggests that at least for Halar membranes, it is necessary to graft the PVP to the membrane for any permanency of the treatment. Even if the treatment had caused a hydrophilic coating of the membrane, washing the membranes with ethanol may be the reason for the apparent lack of hydrophilicity in the test. Any unbound PVP would wash 20 away in ethanol, particularly in these low concentrations (0.5%). These experiments were repeated successfully with various different types of PVP. A number of types of PVP, including K15, K30, K90, K120 and PVP-VA (S630) successfully produced a hydrophilic fibre, a with similar results. However PVP K15 produced the best results in terms of minimal gel 25 formation and evenness of coverage. K1 5 can be dissolved into water relatively easily without clumping, and does not greatly affect the viscosity of the solution. UF Fibres Once it was established from MF fibres that the treatment was successful, it 30 was applied to UF fibres which typically have even smaller pores. A number of attempts were made using identical parameters and the membranes repeatedly became hydrophilic under identical conditions to the MF fibres. However, using the same conditions as used to successfully coat MF membranes, it was found that UF membranes lost a significant amount, up to 70 to 35 80%, of their inherent permeability. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is WO 2006/002479 PCT/AU2005/000975 14 believed that this was due to the double bond density achieved at the membrane surface being not sufficiently high. In order to increase double bond density, a variety of temperatures, times and concentrations were investigated. It was found possible, and most desirable, to increase double bond density by increasing the 5 concentration of caustic and the contact times, rather than increasing temperature. The shortest exposure time possible is the most economic but lower concentrations are better for mass transfer as caustic solutions become more viscous with increasing concentration. There are also safety concerns involved. Around 20% to 30% caustic at 400C for varying lengths of time was found to be 10 suitable. The remainder of the treatment was unchanged, except that the temperature at which the persulfate treatment was performed was decreased to 400C in line with the temperature of the caustic treatment. The details of the experiments performed are set out in table 2.
WO 2006/002479 PCT/AU2005/000975 15 TABLE 2 - UF Results Control lb 1c le 2a 2a 2 3 5 7 7 OD 1050 1050 1050 1050 1050 1050 ID 622 622 622 622 622 622 NaOH (%) 20 20 20 30 30 Oven Temp (0C) 40 40 40 40 40 Time in Caustic (hr) 95 120 168 72 72 Persulfate(%) 5 5 5 5 5
H
2
SO
4 (%) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 PVP K15 (%) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Total Modifier (%) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Time in Persulfate (hr) 1 1 2 1 1 Time in oven (hr) 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 Oven temp (*C) 40 40 40 40 40 Time (hr) Washing 17 0.5 2 17 17 Time (hr) in 20% glycerol 2 2 17 2 2 Hydrophilic (Y/N)? N N N N Y EtOH Permeability (Imh/bar) 147 82 123 69 33 68 % Of Ethanol permeability 49% WO 2006/002479 PCT/AU2005/000975 16 TABLE 2 - UF Results (cont.) Control 2b 2b 2c 2c 2d 2d 8 8 9 9 10 10 OD 1050 1050 1050 1050 1050 1050 1050 ID 622 622 622 622 622 622 622 NaOH(%) 30 30 30 30 30 30 Oven Temp (*C) 40 40 40 40 40 40 Time in Caustic (hr) 96 96 144 144 168 168 Persulfate (%) 5 5 5 5 5 5
H
2 S0 4 (%) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 PVP K15 (%) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Total Modifier (%) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Time in Persulfate (hr) 1 1 2 2 2 2 Time in oven (hr) 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 Oven temp (*C) 40 40 40 40 40 40 Time (hr) Washing 0.5 0.5 2 2 2 2 Time (hr)in 20% glycerol 2 2 2 2 2 2 Hydrophilic (Y/N)? N Y EtOH Y EtOH Y EtOH Permeability (Imh/bar) 147 52 82 98 121 71 80 % Of Ethanol permeability 64% 81% 88% WO 2006/002479 PCT/AU2005/000975 17 The samples that were treated with 20% caustic showed a significantly lighter colour than those treated with 30% caustic for the same period of time. This is a clear indication that the surface double bond density has increased by 5 increasing caustic concentration. This is also supported by the results for hydrophilicity. Samples Ia - le received the same treatment times as 2a - 2e, but the results are dramatically different. None of the series 1a - 1e were hydrophilic, while the series 2a - 2e had varying degrees of hydrophilicity. 10 The permeability of samples 2a - 2e was measured before and after wetting with ethanol to assess whether any deviation was due to pore collapse or non wetting. Presuming the membrane had neither collapsed nor suffered from plugged pores (which should be evident in all samples) the maximum available permeability 15 of a specific fibre sample should be related (within the normal margins of error) to the permeability after wetting thoroughly with ethanol. Therefore a relationship should be observed by plotting the % of total permeability available (ethanol wet) that was obtained by wetting with water, versus the time exposed to caustic, and in fact a very clear relationship exists between the length of time in 30% caustic and 20 the water-wet permeability (hydrophilicity) as a proportion of the total permeability (ethanol-wet). The longer a sample was exposed to 30% caustic at 400C before PVP treatment, the more hydrophilic the final membranes were. This supports the theory for increasing surface double bond density of the membrane. 25 Even more importantly, the permeability of sample 2e is approximately 90% of the available permeability, close enough to the available permeability of the sample (within experimental error) to be considered fully hydrophilic. While the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the inventive 30 concept disclosed herein is not limited only to those specific embodiments disclosed.
Claims (31)
1. A method of coating a polymer bearing at least one X group and at least one H; comprising the step of treating said polymer with an activating agent to remove HX from 5 the polymer to produce a reactive polymer, and reacting said reactive polymer with a reactive coating to produce a coated polymer; wherein said reactive coating is a hydrophilic polymer and wherein X is a halogen.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein X is F or Cl and at least one H.
3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the polymer has at least one X 10 bonded to a carbon in a position a to a hydrogen.
4. A method according any one of the preceding claims wherein the polymer which bears at least one X group is a wholly or partially halogenated homopolymer, copolymer or terpolymer or a blend thereof.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the wholly or partially halogenated 15 homopolymer, copolymer or terpolymer or a blend thereof further comprises a miscible non-halogenated polymer, polymer blend or polymer mixture.
6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the polymer is pvdf (poly vinylidene fluoride) homopolymer, ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (Halar) or ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene terpolymer with n-butyl acrylate, terpolymers of 20 vinyl fluoride/chloride, vinylidene fluoride/chloride, hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethlyene, tetrafluoroethylene.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the polymer is a polymer resistant to base attack containing and produced from one or more of the following monomers: chlorotrifluoroethylene vinyl fluoride, vinyl chloride, vinylidene 25 fluoride, vinylidene chloride, hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethlyene, tetrafluoroethylene.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the polymer is or poly (ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene), Halar, a 1:1 alternating copolymer of ethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene, and having the following structure: 30 -(-CH 2 -CH 2 -CFCI-CF 2 -)n- -19
9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the activating agent is a base.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the base is an alkali earth hydroxide.
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the alkali earth hydroxide is sodium, 5 potassium, lithium or calcium hydroxide.
12. A method according to claim 9 wherein the base is an alkali metal alkoxide.
13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the alkali metal alkoxide is sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, sodium propoxide, potassium methoxide, potassium ethoxide, potassium propoxide. 10
14. A method according to claim 9 wherein the base is an amine base.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the amine base is tetraethylene pentamine.
16. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the reactive polymer bears a double bond. 15
17. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the reactive coating is PVP.
18. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the reactive coating is reacted to the reactive polymer in the presence of an initiator.
19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the initiator is persulfate (S 2 0 8 2 ).
20 20. A method according to claim 19 where the persulfate is in the form of potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, sodium di-persulfate or sodium mono-persulfate.
21. A method of hydrophilising a Halar polymer comprising the step of modifying the polymer to incorporate a cross-linkable group, where applicable, and treating said polymer containing a cross-linkable group with a cross-linkable hydrophilising agent, 25 and applying cross-linking conditions.
22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the cross linkable group is a double bond. -20
23. A method according to claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the cross linkable hydrophilising agent is PVP.
24. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein the cross linking conditions involve the use of an initiator and/or cross linking radiation. 5
25. A method of hydrophilising a Halar microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane comprising the steps of: i) treating said Halar microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane with a base to eliminate HX and produce a base treated polymer; and ii) treating said base treated polymer with PVP in the presence of a cross 10 linking initiator to produce a Halar microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane with a crosslinked surface coating of PVP.
26. A Halar microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane prepared according to the method of claim 25 with a crosslinked surface coating of PVP.
27. A membrane according to claim 26 in the form of an asymmetric membrane. 15
28. A membrane according to claim 27 in the form of a flat sheet.
29. A membrane according to claim 27 in the form of a hollow fibre.
30. A functionalised membrane according to any one of claims 26 to 29 for use: in the microfiltration or ultrafiltration of water and wastewater; as an affinity membrane; as protein adsorption; or in processes requiring bio-compatible functionalised membranes. 20
31. A method of coating a polymer bearing at least one X group and at least one H; a method of hydrophilising a Halar polymer; a method of hydrophilising a Halar microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane; a Halar microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane prepared according to the method substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the 25 accompanying drawings and/or examples.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2005259840A AU2005259840B2 (en) | 2004-07-05 | 2005-07-04 | Hydrophilic membranes |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2004903680A AU2004903680A0 (en) | 2004-07-05 | Modification of halar membranes | |
AU2004903680 | 2004-07-05 | ||
AU2005901689 | 2005-04-06 | ||
AU2005901689A AU2005901689A0 (en) | 2005-04-06 | Hydrophilic membranes | |
PCT/AU2005/000975 WO2006002479A1 (en) | 2004-07-05 | 2005-07-04 | Hydrophilic membranes |
AU2005259840A AU2005259840B2 (en) | 2004-07-05 | 2005-07-04 | Hydrophilic membranes |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
AU2005259840A1 AU2005259840A1 (en) | 2006-01-12 |
AU2005259840B2 true AU2005259840B2 (en) | 2010-12-16 |
Family
ID=37726459
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU2005259840A Ceased AU2005259840B2 (en) | 2004-07-05 | 2005-07-04 | Hydrophilic membranes |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU2005259840B2 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS60260628A (en) * | 1984-06-08 | 1985-12-23 | Idemitsu Petrochem Co Ltd | Thermoplastic resin molding coated with plasma polymer film |
JPS6268828A (en) * | 1985-09-19 | 1987-03-28 | Youbea Le-Ron Kogyo Kk | Transparent cassette liner |
US4855163A (en) * | 1986-05-01 | 1989-08-08 | Pall Corporation | Method of making polyvinylidene difluoride structure |
US5871823A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1999-02-16 | Huels Aktiengesellschaft | Hydrophilic coating of surfaces of polymeric substrates |
-
2005
- 2005-07-04 AU AU2005259840A patent/AU2005259840B2/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS60260628A (en) * | 1984-06-08 | 1985-12-23 | Idemitsu Petrochem Co Ltd | Thermoplastic resin molding coated with plasma polymer film |
JPS6268828A (en) * | 1985-09-19 | 1987-03-28 | Youbea Le-Ron Kogyo Kk | Transparent cassette liner |
US4855163A (en) * | 1986-05-01 | 1989-08-08 | Pall Corporation | Method of making polyvinylidene difluoride structure |
US5871823A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1999-02-16 | Huels Aktiengesellschaft | Hydrophilic coating of surfaces of polymeric substrates |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2005259840A1 (en) | 2006-01-12 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8524794B2 (en) | Hydrophilic membranes | |
CA2530805C (en) | Membranes containing poly(vinyl methyl ether) and hydrophilisation of membranes using poly(vinyl methyl ether) | |
US20080214687A1 (en) | Cross Linking Treatment of Polymer Membranes | |
US6045694A (en) | Cationically charge-modified membranes | |
EP1827664B1 (en) | Membrane post treatment | |
US20110147308A1 (en) | Charged Porous Polymeric Membranes and Their Preparation | |
CN100542659C (en) | Hydrophilic film | |
AU2006261581B2 (en) | Cross linking treatment of polymer membranes | |
AU2005259840B2 (en) | Hydrophilic membranes | |
AU2005312347B2 (en) | Membrane post treatment | |
EP1038570A1 (en) | Positively charged polymer membranes | |
AU2004253197B2 (en) | Membrane post treatment |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PC1 | Assignment before grant (sect. 113) |
Owner name: SIEMENS WATER TECHNOLOGIES CORP. Free format text: FORMER APPLICANT(S): U.S. FILTER WASTEWATER GROUP, INC. |
|
FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) | ||
MK14 | Patent ceased section 143(a) (annual fees not paid) or expired |