The present invention discloses a high-flux filter membrane with three-dimensional self-aligned micropores arrays and a method for manufacturing the same. The filter membrane has an operating area and a filter area. The operating area is located around the filter membrane. The filter area is located in the middle of the filter membrane. The filter area is relatively concave to the operating area. Three-dimensional and self-aligned micropores are provided on the filter area and are upper pores and lower pores, which are coaxial pores. The upper pores connect with the lower pores. In the present invention, in one aspect, a fluid flux is increased by reducing the thickness of upper pores and increasing the pore diameter of the lower pores, and, in another aspect, mechanical strength of the filter membrane is increased by use of the lower pores.

The present application may provide a block copolymer and a use thereof. The present application may provide a block copolymer and a use thereof. The block copolymer of the present application may have excellent self-assembly properties or phase separation characteristics and simultaneously have characteristics capable of changing the self-assembly structure formed once, or provide a block copolymer capable of forming a pattern of phase separation structures in a polymer membrane.

This invention relates to a hydrophilic polymer and membrane for oil-water separation. More particularly, this invention relates to a super hydrophilic polymer and membrane with zwitterionic property for oil-water separation, and method of producing the same. The hydrophilic polymer comprises polymer repeat units, each unit having at least one negatively charged carboxylic functional group and at least one positively charged amine functional group; and a monomer having a single aromatic ring and an imide functional group.

This invention relates to a hydrophilic polymer and membrane for oil-water separation. More particularly, this invention relates to a super hydrophilic polymer and membrane with zwitterionic property for oil-water separation, and method of producing the same. The hydrophilic polymer comprises polymer repeat units, each unit having at least one negatively charged carboxylic functional group and at least one positively charged amine functional group; and a monomer having a single aromatic ring and an imide functional group.

A filtration device containing a porous polyparaxylylene (PPX) filtration article is provided. The PPX filtration article includes at least one PPX polymer membrane layer and one or more substrate. Optionally, the PPX filtration article may include one or more support layer(s). The PPX polymer membrane has a pore size from about 1 nm to about 100 nm. The filtration article has a PVA_20 less than about 0.6 cm.sup.3/m.sup.2 and/or a mass/area (MPA) less than about 30 g/m.sup.2. The PPX filtration article separates and retains nanoparticles from a feed fluid with high permeability. In use, the PPX filtration article filters nanoparticles from a feed flow by passing the feed fluid through at least one PPX polymer membrane within the filtration article where the nanoparticles are separated and removed from the feed fluid. The PPX polymer membranes may be resistant to chemical attack, gamma radiation, and are thermally stable, biocompatible, and strong.

A filtration device containing a porous polyparaxylylene (PPX) filtration article is provided. The PPX filtration article includes at least one PPX polymer membrane layer and one or more substrate. Optionally, the PPX filtration article may include one or more support layer(s). The PPX polymer membrane has a pore size from about 1 nm to about 100 nm. The filtration article has a PVA_20 less than about 0.6 cm.sup.3/m.sup.2 and/or a mass/area (MPA) less than about 30 g/m.sup.2. The PPX filtration article separates and retains nanoparticles from a feed fluid with high permeability. In use, the PPX filtration article filters nanoparticles from a feed flow by passing the feed fluid through at least one PPX polymer membrane within the filtration article where the nanoparticles are separated and removed from the feed fluid. The PPX polymer membranes may be resistant to chemical attack, gamma radiation, and are thermally stable, biocompatible, and strong.

A method for producing a porous hollow fiber membrane for humidification, the method comprising dry-wet spinning a spinning dope comprising a water-soluble organic solvent solution composed of polyphenylsulfone resin and hydrophilic polyvinylpyrrolidone using water as a core liquid; then performing a crosslinking treatment at 120 to 220° C. for 1 to 20 hours; and then dipping the resultant in an acidic solution with a concentration of 5 to 500 ppm. The obtained porous hollow fiber membrane has improved hydrophilicity without impairing the wettability of the porous hollow fiber membrane. Since, humidification performance of the porous hollow fiber membrane alone can be improved, it is effective as a humidifying membrane for fuel cells.

A method for producing a porous hollow fiber membrane for humidification, the method comprising dry-wet spinning a spinning dope comprising a water-soluble organic solvent solution composed of polyphenylsulfone resin and hydrophilic polyvinylpyrrolidone using water as a core liquid; then performing a crosslinking treatment at 120 to 220° C. for 1 to 20 hours; and then dipping the resultant in an acidic solution with a concentration of 5 to 500 ppm. The obtained porous hollow fiber membrane has improved hydrophilicity without impairing the wettability of the porous hollow fiber membrane. Since, humidification performance of the porous hollow fiber membrane alone can be improved, it is effective as a humidifying membrane for fuel cells.

The present invention relates to the use of additives in processes to form polymeric fibers. These fibers can be formed into membranes with improved middle and/or higher molecular weight solute removal.

The present invention relates to the use of additives in processes to form polymeric fibers. These fibers can be formed into membranes with improved middle and/or higher molecular weight solute removal.