A Novel Technoque for Characterization of Membranes

The performance of membranes is governed their pore struture. Pore structures of porous materials can be determined by a number of techniques. However, The novel technique, capillary folw porometry has a number of advantages. In this technique, the sample is brought in contact with a liquid that fills the pores in the membrane spontaneously. Gas under pressure is used to force the liquid from the pores and increase gas flow. Gas flow rate measured as a function of gas pressure in wet and dry samples yield data on the largest pore size, the mean flow pore size, flow distribution and permeability. Pore characteristics of a number of membranes were measured using this technique. This technique did not require the use of any toxic material and the pressure employed was low. Capillary flow porometry is a suitable technique for measurement of the pore structure of many membranes.