SILICA-SUPPORTED POLYVINYLPYRROLIDONE FILTRATION MEMBRANES

A hybrid ceramic-polymeric membrane was developed by the growth of cov alently-bonded polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) chains from the surface of a porous silica support membrane via a graft polymerization process. Th ese ceramic-supported polymeric (CSP) membranes can be produced with v ariable surface density and length of the terminally anchored polymer chains. Hydraulic permeability measurements demonstrated the effect of the grafted chain density and length on the water permeability of the CSP membranes. The potential application of these CSP membranes for t he treatment of oil-in-water emulsions, was evaluated in cross-flow fi ltration experiments. This preliminary evaluation indicated improved p erformance of a CSP membrane, relative to an unmodified support, since the CSP membrane produced a lower permeate concentration at an equiva lent permeability. The improved selectivity and reduced fouling tenden cy is attributed to the increased hydrophilicity of the membrane surfa ce provided by the grafted PVP chains.