Macroporous polymeric membranes for the separation of polymers and a method of their application

Abstract

An object of the invention are macroporous polymeric membranes, suitable above all for the separation of polymers, which consist of the copolymer of a monovinyl monomer, selected from the group comprising acrylates, methacrylates, vinylpyridine, N-vinylpyrrolidone, vinyl acetate, and hydroxystyrene, with a divinyl monomer, selected from the group comprising alkylene and hydroxyalkylene diacrylates and dimethacrylates, divinylbenzene, and divinylpyridine, at the ratio of monomers of both types ranging from 5:95 to 95:5 wt.%. The membranes are formed from polymeric globular entities which have the size 0.05 to 0.05 .mu.m and are interconnected by covalent bonds, whereas communicating voids - pores occur between the globuli. The total thickness of membranes is 0.2 to 15 mm and their specific surface area, which is measurable also in the dry state, may attain 400 m.sup.2 /g. Glycidyl methacrylate is advantageously used as the monovinyl monomer in the amount 5-80 vol.% related to the total volume of monomers. Ethylene dimethacrylate is advantageously used in the amount 20-95 vol.% related to the volume of monomers as the divinyl monomer. The membranes contain on their inner surface covalently bound allyl, hydroxyl, amine, sulfonate, hydrogensulfonate, thiol, and/or alkyl groups containing up to 18 carbon atoms and may be reinforced in their whole cross-section with an insert.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.