Sugar-based dimethyl isosorbide as a new green solvent in membranes preparation

A predictive investigation on the possibility of using DMI as a solvent for both polymers was carried out by evaluating thermodynamic (Hansen and Hildebrand solubility parameters, relative energy difference) and kinetic (viscosity) studies. Polymeric membranes were then prepared by coupling vapour induced phase separation (VIPS) and non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) techniques. The different exposure time to humid environment allowed to tune membranes pore size without the need of any pore forming additive.