Preparation and characterization of novel porous PVDF-ZrO2 composite membranes

Poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF)-ZrO2 composite membranes were prepared by casting and immersion into a water bath of ternary suspensions obtained by adding additional amounts of ZrO2 particles to PVDF solutions. Methods to obtain an intimate dispersion of the inorganic particles in the PVDF solutions were developed. A large variety of supported and unsupported membranes were prepared by varying some of the preparative parameters such as: the PVDF solvent (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or triethylphosphate), the total concentration and the PVDF/ ZrO2 ratio in the ternary dispersion. Membranes were also cast from a binary solution of PVDF and solvent for comparison purposes. All the obtained membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope observations and ultrafiltration tests. The effect of the above-mentioned preparative parameters on the structure, flux and dextran retention properties of the membranes is discussed.