Formation behavior and performance studies of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blend membranes prepared by non-solvent induced phase inversion method Original Research Article

Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol)/ poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (EVAL/PVP) blend membranes were prepared by non-solvent induced phase inversion method in different ratios. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters which govern the formation of membrane were studied by phase diagram and precipitation kinetics. Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) content in the membrane solution controls phase separation by thermodynamic enhancement and kinetic hindrance. The addition of PVP is favorable for the formation of macro voids, which results in the increased flux rate of pure water through the membrane. But at higher PVP content, membrane forms dense spongy like structure and reduces the flux rate. Improved hydrophilicity and protein adsorption resistance which have high significance in biomedical field were observed by the presence of PVP in the sample. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyze the residual PVP content and its compatibility with EVAL.