Efficacy of Phase Inversion Technique for Polymeric Membrane Fabrication

Abstract

An essential contribution to sustainable industrial growth is the process intensification strategy that aims to improve manufacturing by reducing energy consumption and waste production through safer and flexible equipment. Membrane technology satisfies all the process intensification requirements. Polymeric membranes are used in different separation processes at an industrial scale due to their exciting separation property, low cost, and easy manufacturing. These membranes are prepared using different methods as phase inversion, controlled stretching, melt extrusion, or electrospinning depending on the preferred membrane morphology. Phase inversion is the most used process for membrane fabrication as it permits to fabrication of a wide range of membrane morphologies from dense to porous. Here we review the techniques base on the phase inversion process and their performances in fabricating polymeric membranes. The key factors that influence membrane morphology have also been discussed.