ABSTRACT: Microporous membranes were prepared from different blends of PVDF/PMMA (polyvinylidene fluoride/polymethyl methacrylate) using the technique of phase inversion by immersion-coagulation in the presence of a non-solvent, dissolving the polymers in DMF (N'N'dimethylformamide). The membranes were characterized by scanning eletron microscopy, infrared internal reflection spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, in addition to permeability and solute retention assays. Different morphologies were obtained as the concentrations of the components in the blends were varied. An increase in the concentration of PMMA reduced the degree of cristalinity of the PVDF and increased the overall porosity and thickness of the membranes, resulting in an important increase in the permeate flux rate and solute retention.
Microporous membranes; blends; PVDF; permeability
