US Patent:
20040026315, Feb 12, 2004
Inventors:
Wenli Han - Weston FL, US
Martin Ketterer - Apex NC, US
Jonnie Lee - Pembroke Pines FL, US
Thanh Nguyen - Pembroke Pines FL, US
George Washington - Miramar FL, US
Delores Jordan - Miami FL, US
Dibyendu De - Pembroke Pines FL, US
International Classification:
B01D071/68
Abstract:
The present invention provides, inter alia, a composition useful for producing a homogeneous, semipermeable membrane, the composition comprising a polysulfone semipermeable membrane, the polysulfone semipermeable membrane comprising a mixture of: an ultra-high-molecular-weight hydrophilic polymer, a polysulfone compound and a solvent for the polysulfone compound, and the polysulfone semipermeable membrane having a homogeneous structure such that the polysulfone semipermeable membrane has a substantially uniform structure. Another aspect of this invention discloses methods for fabricating semipermeable membranes by homogeneously mixing the composition, melting the composition, and melt-spinning the molten composition. Another aspect of the present invention includes homogeneous, melt-spun, semipermeable membranes useful for liquid separation processes, such as, but not limited to, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, dialysis, and reverse osmosis.