VACUUM METALLIZATION OF ULTRAFILTRATION POLYMER MEMBRANES WITH IRON-CHROMIUM-NICKEL ALLOY
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes are prepared by the phase inversion in a wet process. PAN membranes have the typical asymmetric structure. The possibility for vacuum metallization of ultrafiltration polymer membranes with iron-chromium-nickel alloy was studied after preliminary modification with Sn <sup>2</sup> <sup>+</sup> in basic medium. The influence of pre-modification on polymer surface before the actual vacuum metallization is a prerequisite for successful metallization. The change of transport and selective characteristics of the vacuum metal coated membranes was studied, as well as the durability of the vacuum obtained coating during membrane performance. The metal coating was prepared by magnetron sputtering of iron - chromium - nickel alloy (H18N9T). The surface properties were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).