Effect of aging on UF membranes by a streaming potential (SP) method

In this paper we have determined, by a streaming potential (SP) method, the isoelectric point (IEP) of a new cellulose membrane, the regenerated cellu lose material. This membrane is more hydrophilic than the classical cellulo se acetate material and less sensitive to protein adsorption, with an IEP o f 3.4. Furthermore, we have validated an SP method as a new method to control agin g of porous membranes. We validate the SP technique on a surface of 30 cm(2 ) for a membrane with a molecular weight cut-off of 10 kDa. In this new field of research where nondestructive techniques are not many, we have shown, for the first time, the efficiency of coupling permeability and SP measurements to control aging of mesoporous polymer membranes. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.