STUDIES OF ENLARGEMENT OF PORE SIZE IN REGENERATED CELLULOSE MEMBRANES

Abstract

Changes in pore size of regenerated cellulose fibers were studied by alternating conditions during the membrane formation. The sieving coefficients for β2-microglobulin (β2MG) increased to 0.53 (A) and 0.64 (B) under these conditions. On the other hand, no changes in the ultrafiltration rate (UFR) were found. The overall mass transfer coefficients for these membranes were found to be 11.7 (A)and 18.0 (B) μm/min at QB=200ml/min, QD=500ml/min, and 1.2m² surface membrane area.The surface structure of the new regenerated cellulose membrane was analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and image processing system. From this result, it was found that the pore diameter was 103Å.