Polyvinylidene fluoride membrane and method for removing viruses from solutions
US5736051A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D2325/04
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides an isotropic, skinless, porous, polyvinylidene fluoride membrane having a K.sub.UF of at least about 15 psi (103 kPa), and preferably below about 50 psi (345 kPa), when tested using liquid pairs having an interfacial tension of about 4 dynes/cm (4 mN/m). The present inventive membrane preferably has a titer reduction of at least about 10.sup.8 against T.sub.1 bacteriophage, more preferably also against PR772 coliphage, and even more preferably also against PP7 bacteriophage. The present inventive membrane can have a thickness of about 20 mil (500 .mu.m) or less and even as low as about 5 mil (125 .mu.m) or less. The present invention also provides a method of preparing such a membrane by providing a casting solution comprising polyvinylidene fluoride and a solvent therefor, heating the casting solution to a uniform temperature of about 57.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C., spreading the casting solution onto a substrate to form a film, quenching the film in a quench bath so as to form a porous membrane, and washing and drying the porous membrane.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.