Single-step preparation of nanocomposite polyamide 6 hollow fiber membrane with integrally skinned asymmetric structure for organic solvent nanofiltration

Abstract An integrally skinned organic solvent-resistant membrane with asymmetric structure for solvent nanofiltration (OSN) application was developed via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) of nanocomposite polyamide 6. The 6 contains intercalated silicate sheets, which could improve the mechanical properties resultant membrane, as well mitigate swelling after exposure in solvent. influence composition hollow fiber and subsequent thermal annealing investigated this study. Crystallinity data revealed that crystal formed during TIPS process primarily ?-phase type, but use polymer initiated formation ?-type crystalline structure. Thermal at 120 °C also found to even promote a higher overall crystallinity membranes. membranes were subjected OSN operation methanol (MeOH) cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) solute. sheets brought about dense outer surface sublayer formation, resulting stability MeOH; however, purely suffered from very low permeance, due sublayer. whose is 50% exhibited MeOH permeance 0.1 L m?2 h?1 bar?1 vitamin B12 rejection over 99.0%. This work able provide how polymeric material, annealing, affect membrane’s filtration performance resistance.