THE INFLUENCE OF SURFACTANTS UPON MICROFILTRATION OF COLLOIDAL DISPERSION THROUGH ASYMMETRIC MEMBRANES

The influence of anionic and cationic surfactants employed in preparat ion of asymmetric polysulphone membranes upon microfiltration of collo idal dispersion was studied. The cationic surfactants modify the morph ology of membranes favouring the obtaining of fluxes and retentions hi gher than those of membranes with anionic surfactants. The decrease of the average diameter of permeate particles depends on the chemical na ture of cationic surfactant; the most pronounced effect was noted in h exadecylpyridinium bromide. Microfiltration depends on surface electri cal charge of particles and on pH. The results were interpreted in ter ms of the specific structure of dynamic membrane and the presence of c ationic surfactant in polymeric membrane.