Abstract
Polymeric membrane technology is a constantly developing field in both the research and industrial sector, with many applications considered nowadays as mature such as desalination, wastewater treatment, and hemodialysis. A variety of polymers have been used for the development of porous membranes by implementing numerous approaches such as phase inversion, electrospinning, sintering, melt-spinning and cold-stretching, 3D printing, and others. Depending on the application, certain polymer characteristics such as solubility to non-toxic solvents, mechanical and thermal stability, non-toxicity, resistance to solvents, and separation capabilities are highly desired. Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a polymer that combines the above-mentioned properties with great film forming capabilities, good chemical and mechanical stability, and tuned hydrophilicity, rendering it a prominent candidate for membrane preparation since the 1970s. Since then, great progress has been made both in preparation methods and possible unique applications. In this review, the main preparation methods and applications of porous PVA based membranes, along with introductory material are presented.
Highlights
Polymeric membranes are used in a vast array of applications; predominantly in water treatment, gas separations, medical, industrial, fuel cells, and others [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10].The membrane’s purpose is to act as a selective barrier for species of interest
Common polymers used for the membrane preparation include cellulose acetate (CA), polyethersulfone (PES), polysulfone (PSf), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), poly-(1,4-phenylene ether), ether sulfone (PPEES), sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK), poly(p-phenylene sulfide) (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS), polyether block amide (PEBAX), polyimides (PI), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and others
Li and coworkers [123] reported a macroporous PVA. Especially those developed for water treatment, are expected to be of research hydrogel with improved mechanical properties due to the addition of Agarose (AG) as a pore and industrial focus for many years to come due to factors like climate change, environmental forming agent
Summary
Polymeric membranes are used in a vast array of applications; predominantly in water treatment, gas separations, medical, industrial, fuel cells, and others [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. Practical applications [41], of poly(vinyl alcohol) based membranes that it should be crosslinked industry, tissue engineering wound dressing [42] contact lenses,require drug delivery systems [43,44,45,46], prior to use in order to retain the structure and mechanical properties, especially in water related processes; and orthopedics [47]. Practical applications of poly(vinyl alcohol) based membranes require that it should be crosslinked prior to use in order to retain the structure and mechanical properties, especially in water related processes; studies have shown that crosslinking can induce minimum effects on the thermal and mechanical properties, or even their deterioration [48]. The effects of nanoparticle incorporation during membrane preparation have been extensively studied for both performance structure control [81,82]
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