INTERFACIAL POLYMERIZATION OF THIN POLYMER-FILMS ONTO THE SURFACE OF A MICROPOROUS HOLLOW-FIBER MEMBRANE

Two methods for synthesizing thin films of chemically selective polyme rs onto the surfaces of microporous hollow-fiber membranes are describ ed. The first involves interfacial redox polymerization and yields thi n films of electronically conductive polymers (e.g., polypyrrole, poly (N-methylpyrrole), polyaniline) on the outside surface of the hollow-f iber membrane. The second method entails interfacial photopolymerizati on of styrenic monomers on the surface of the hollow-fiber membrane. S uch coated hollow-fiber membranes are potentially useful in membrane-b ased separation technologies such as pervaporation and industrial gas separations. We also investigated the transport properties of the coat ed hollow-fiber membranes described here using a simple pervaporation- type experiment.