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Intellectual Property Office

Non-Confidential Disclosures

New Hydrophilic Polypropylene Membranes

PSU Invention Disclosure No. 1322
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Field of the Invention:

A new method to prepare polypropylene membranes which have hydrophilic surfaces and an asymmetric porous structure.

Inventors:

T. C. Chung

Patent status:

U.S. Issued Patent Nos. 5,837,365 & 5,976,434

Background:

Many of the polymers used for commercially available synthetic membranes are hydrophobic polymers, such as polypropylene (PP), poly (ether imide), poly (vinylidene fluoride) and polysulfones. Among these hydrophobic polymers, polypropylene has been used extensively in filtration membrane applications because polypropylene is chemically stable and mechanically sturdy, and can be used at relatively high temperatures. In spite of its extensive uses, polypropylene is hydrophobic, and impermeable to ions in an aqueous solution unless a positive pressure gradient is applied. In addition, PP membranes, as well as other hydrophobic membranes prepared from other hydrophobic polymers, are characterized by a flux decline that is caused by fouling due to solute adsorption and pore blocking.

Invention description:

This new type of hydrophilic polypropylene PP/PP-OH membrane not only offers high flux and high retention of substances in the separation process, but also significantly improves fouling property. This new hydrophilic PP/PP-OH membrane--offering good selectivity and flux, and also exhibiting a superior excellent anti-fouling property, is an excellent ultra-filtration membrane. With the film casting-leaching process and the choice of hydrophilic additive, asymmetric PP/PP-OH membranes can be prepared with controllable pore size and hydrophilic surfaces

Advantages:

  • “Brush-like” microstructure
  • High molecular weight
  • High melting point
  • Relatively high concentration of hydroxy groups

Contact:

Mr. Matthew D. Smith
Sr. Licensing Officer
Intellectual Property Office
The Pennsylvania State University
113 Technology Center
University Park, PA 16802-7000
Phone: (814) 863-1122
Fax: (814) 865-3591
E-mail: mds126@psu.edu