Preparation and Characterization of Membranes with Adjustable Sep Aration Performance Using Polyphosphazene Membranes

Preparation of polymeric membranes with dynamically adjustable separation properties is a new area of research. The approach described herein involves adjusting the permeate pressure of a swollen polymeric membrane to alter its separation properties. For example, during the separation of methylene blue from isopropyl alcohol, pressure on the permeate side was increased such that both methylene blue and alcohol were passed, resulting in no separation. The permeate pressure then was decreased and only colorless isopropyl alcohol passed through the membrane. A subsequent increase in the pressure on the permeate side results in no separation once again demonstrating that the effects were fully reversible. In a mixed dye experiment in isopropyl alcohol, methylene blue and rose bengal were separated with the lower-molecular-weight methylene blue permeating with isopropyl alcohol while the rose bengal was retained in the feed. The new membranes are distinguished by improved control of separation parameters as well as improved flux rates and have been experimentally characterized for their separation abilities using both flat sheets and tubular systems. This approach can be used for virtually any polymer which swells, but does not dissolve in the solvents which are being used.