PHASE-SEPARATION PROCESSES IN POLYMER-SOLUTIONS IN RELATION TO MEMBRANE FORMATION

This review covers new experimental and theoretical physical research related to the formation of polymeric membranes by phase separation of a polymer solution, and to the morphology of these membranes. Two mai n phase separation processes for polymeric membrane formation are disc ussed: thermally induced phase separation and immersion precipitation. Special attention is paid to phase transitions like liquid-liquid dem ixing, crystallization, gelation, and vitrification, and their relatio n to membrane morphology. In addition, the mass transfer processes inv olved in immersion precipitation, and their influence on membrane morp hology are discussed.