Structural and performance study of microporous polyetherimide hollow fiber membranes made by solvent-spinning method

The morphology of the inner and the outer surfaces of polyetherimide (PEI) hollow fibers were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The effect of the spinning conditions, namely, the bore liquid flow rate on the surface c haracteristics was investigated. Bore liquid flow rate was varied between 0 .1 and 0.4 ml/min. The pore sizes at the outer and inner surfaces of the ho llow fibers were affected by the bore liquid flow rates. Bore liquid flow r ates also influenced the ultrafiltration performances of the hollow fiber m embranes. The alignment of nodule aggregates to the direction of bore liqui d Row was observed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.