PVC MEMBRANES PREPARED VIA NON-SOLVENT INDUCED PHASE SEPARATION PROCESS

ABSTRACT Polyvinylchloride (PVC) based membranes are prepared via a phase inversion method using N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) as solvent and water as precipitation bath. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and lithium nitrate (LiNO3) are used as additives. Experimental cloud point data and solution viscosity measurements are evaluated. Precipitation rates, transport properties and membrane morphology are quantified. Membranes with different morphologies and transport properties are prepared by changing the additive and its concentration, changing the PVC concentration and by varying the exposure time to the environment before immersion. An augment in PVC concentration increases solution viscosity, reduces precipitation rate and water permeability (Jw), but it does not affect the instantaneous precipitation mechanism. PVC solutions with additives present higher viscosity values, slower light transmittance decay and membranes with higher Jw (highest: ~1,350 L.h-1.m-2.bar-1). LiNO3 in the polymeric solution results in delayed demixing. A combination of high PVP concentration and environment exposure time changes the membrane morphology, suggesting spinodal demixing.