Porous polymeric membrane comprising vinylidene fluoride
AssigneeABSL Power Solutions Ltd
InventorsNeville Mattingley, Esam Kronfli
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Abstract
A process for producing a porous polymeric structure which process comprises preparing a solution comprising a polymer which comprises vinylidene fluoride in a solvent/non-solvent mixture; holding the solution at an elevated temperature until the polymer is completely solvated; casting the solution to form a thin layer; and drying the thin layer to form a membrane. The polymer is dispersed in the non-solvent before addition of the solvent, when preparing the solution, to prevent microgel formation. The prolonged solvation at elevated temperature provides a stable solution, and enables membranes of controlled porosity to be formed.
Claims13
A process for producing a porous polymeric membrane which process comprises:
- a) preparing a solution comprising a polymer which comprises vinylidene fluoride in a solvent/non-solvent mixture in which the proportion of non-solvent is 2 to 30 wt % by dispersing the polymer in the non-solvent prior to addition of the solvent wherein the boiling point of the non-solvent is higher than that of the solvent;
- b) holding the solution at an elevated temperature of at least 40° C. until the polymer is completely solvated;
- c) casting the solution to form a thin layer;
- and
- d) drying the thin layer to form a membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.