Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Study of Porous Polysulfone and Poly(Vinyl Pyrrolidone)/Polysulfone Blend Membranes

This paper reports a small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) investigation of semipermeable porous membranes of polysulfone (PS) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)/PS blends to understand differences in water flow rates through these membranes. The results indicate that the membranes have a mass fractal morphology. The porosity of the membranes, estimated from the SAXS, compares well with the porosity estimated using a gravimetric method. The difference in flow rates through the membranes is explained in terms of the estimated porosity.