POLYSULFONE MEMBRANES .5. POLY(PHENYL SULFONE) (RADEL-R) POLY(VINYL PYRROLIDONE) MEMBRANES

Ultrafiltration membranes were prepared from mixtures of poly(phenyl s ulfone) (Radel R5000) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) dissolved in 1 -methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP). The effects of the casting solution com position on membrane performance and morphology are presented. Radel R 5000 membranes showed higher productivity for a given pore size when c ompared to other polysulfone membranes. The biphenyl group in Radel R5 000 makes it more rigid in comparison to other polysulfones. This may result in more ordered packing, which resulted in the higher productiv ities and smaller pore sizes observed in the membranes. (C) 1994 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.