Asymmetric membranes with controlled morphology from modified polyetheretherketone (PEEKWC): preparation and characterization

PEEKWC is a high performance thermoplastic modified polyetheretherketone [1-2]. This polymer, like the traditional PEEK, presents excellent thermal resistance, high chemical stability and good mechanical properties. In addition, in contrast to PEEK, it is well soluble in various common solvents. Few studies have been published on PEEKWC as a membrane forming material [3-4] but no systematic studies on the relationship between morphology and preparation conditions have been reported yet. In the present work, the preparation and characterization of PEEKWC membranes by the Nonsolvent Induced Phase Separation (NIPS) technique are described. The influence of the polymer concentration in the casting solution and different nonsolvent/solvent combinations on the membrane morphology and transport properties have been studied. The solvents used for membrane preparation are N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) and tetrahydrofuran (THF); water was used as the nonsolvent. The membranes were characterized by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), pure water flux, bubble point and gas permeation.