Effect of type of solvent and non-solvents on morphology and performance of polysulfone and polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes for milk concentration

Polysulfone (PS) and polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration membranes were manufactured from a casting solution of the polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in various solvents [N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)] by immersing the prepared films in different non-solvents [water, 2-butanol, mixture of water and 2-butanol, mixture of water and 2-propanol (IPA) and mixture of water and 1-butanol]. The influences of various solvents and non-solvents on morphology and performance of the prepared membranes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and separation experiments using milk as the feed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.