Preparation and characterization of a novel solvent-resistant and autoclavable polymer membrane

A novel membrane was prepared from poly(acrylonitrile-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (PANGMA) of a defined epoxide content as membrane polymer by a conventional immersion–precipitation phase-inversion process as the first step. Thereafter, both the chemical structure and the morphology of this membrane could be efficiently stabilized by a post-treatment with ammonia. The result of this ammonolysis reaction is an extensive cross-linking yielding an extraordinary solvent-resistant membrane. Furthermore, that membrane can be safely sterilized by hot steam at 121 or 140 °C and drying of the membrane on air is possible without any additives. Performance characteristics of PANGMA membranes for aqueous solutions are similar to poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) membranes, but with the novel membrane applications in solvents such as dimethyl formamide are possible as well. Depending on ammonolysis conditions either residual epoxide groups or primary and secondary amino groups are available on the membrane surface for covalent coupling of ligands.