Polysulfone-ZrO(2) surface interactions. The influence on formation, morphology and properties of zirfon-membranes.

The interaction between polysulfone and ZrO(2) particles is studied as a function of the particle sintering temperature in order to understand the role of ZrO(2) on the formation, morphology, and properties of organo-mineral composite membranes. The adsorption between the sintered ZrO(2) and the constituents of polysulfone, 2,2-diphenylpropane and diphenyl sulfone, is investigated using high-pressure liquid chromatography. The influence of the polymer-ZrO(2) interaction on the flow behavior of the casting suspension is registered via viscoelastic measurements. The organo-mineral composite membranes are formed by immersion precipitation in water, and the resulting membrane morphology is analyzed using high-resolution SEM. The zirconia concentration in the top-layer of the composite structure is determined by XPS. Finally, the link between the polymer-filler interactions, the membrane formation process, and the resulting membrane structure and properties is established.