Phase Inversion Technique-Based Polyamide Films and Their Applications: A Comprehensive Review

This is a comprehensive review regarding the particulars of phase inversion technique and its significance in polyamide films. Phase inversion is a versatile technique to form thin films of neat polyamide, composite, and blend system. Phase inversion can be induced by polymer solution immersion in nonsolvent, contact with nonsolvent vapor, thermal treatment, solvent evaporation, and quenching. Choice of solvent/nonsolvent system, polyamide, additive, coagulation bath, and film casting conditions are crucial. Only limitation of phase inversion is the requirement of polyamide solubility in suitable solvent. Promising applications of phase inversion polyamide are in fuel cell, gas separation, tissue engineering, and water filtration.