Advancements in Sustainable PVDF Copolymer Membrane Preparation Using Rhodiasolv® PolarClean As an Alternative Eco-Friendly Solvent

In this work, Rhodiasolv® PolarClean was employed as a more sustainable solvent for the preparation of poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) flat sheet membranes via phase inversion technique by coupling vapour induced separation (VIPS) and non-solvent (NIPS) processes. Preliminary calculations based on Hansen solubility parameters well predicted solubilization polymer in selected solvent. The effect exposure time humidity influence polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) sulfonated polyether sulfone (S-PES) membrane properties performance, were evaluated. Three different coagulation bath compositions also explored. obtained membranes, prepared using approach, compared with those produced traditional toxic N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) characterised terms morphology, porosity, wettability, pore size, surface roughness mechanical resistance. potential new crystallinity PVDF-HFP-based evaluated infrared spectroscopy. adjustment investigated allowed tuning size microfiltration (MF) ultrafiltration (UF) range resulting various morphologies. From water permeability rejection tests, performed methylene blue dye, showed their potentiality to be used MF UF applications.