Characterization of Liquid Membrane Supports

Abstract

Two polypropylene films, Celgard 2400 and Celgard 2500 (products of Celanese Corp.), were examined by scanning electron microscopy before and after impregnation with a 0.2 kmol/m³ dodecane solution of dinonylnaphthalene sulfonic acid for 55 d. In the photomicrographs of the untreated film samples, the surface pores appeared as a regular pattern of slots. Mercury porosimetry results indicate that the pores are present as a very narrow size distribution: 0.01 μm < 90% < 0.062 μm. The photomicrographs of the treated film samples showed an extensive loss of porosity.