Effect of mixed diluents during thermally induced phase separation process on structures and performances of hollow fiber membranes prepared using triple-orifice spinneret

Abstract

In this study, polyvinylidene fluoride hollow fiber membranes were prepared using a triple-orifice spinneret in thermally induced phase separation. A solvent, propylene carbonate (PC), was extruded through the outermost layer of the spinneret. Through the use of this method, all the membranes were developed an entirely porous surface with similar pore size and porosity. Using mixed diluents with different concentrations of diphenyl carbonate and PC, the membrane bulk structures were controlled from an entirely bicontinuous network, a combination of bicontinuous and spherulitic structures, to an entirely spherulitic structure. The tailored bulk structures showed significant effects on the permeability, rejection, and mechanical strength of the membrane. Furthermore, the membrane sub-layer structure was modified to form different types from the composite-like structure of the combination of the spherulites and bicontinuous network to entirely spherulites, which controlled the membrane permeation stability within an extensive range of 6% to nearly 100%. A change in the polymeric dope solution phase diagram, as well as the interfacial behaviors of the polymeric dope solution and extruded PC, played important roles in appropriately tailoring membrane structures and performances. These novel and solid findings regarding the connections between structures and performances provide an advisable venue for the design of hollow fiber membranes with satisfactory performances.