Process for making microporous membranes having gel-filled pores, and separations methods using such membranes
US5160627A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 1991 |
| Grant date | Nov 3, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S264/62
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process is provided for modifying the properties of a hydrophobic microporous membrane which includes the steps of first providing a hydrophobic microporous membrane, treating it with a surfactant to render the membrane hydrophilic, wetting the membrane with an aqueous solution of a polyol such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and divinyl sulfone (DVS) or a precursor thereof, washing the membrane with water to displace the polyol/DVA from the exterior of the membrane while retaining it in the pores of the membrane, and crosslinking the polyol/DVS into an aqueous gel to yield a hydrophilic microporous membrane having pores filled with an aqueous polyol/DVS gel, the exterior of the membrane being unobstructed by gel. The modified membranes produced according to the process are useful in carrying out chromatographic separations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.