| abstract |
An object of the invention are macroporous polymeric membranes, suitable above all for the separation of polymers, which consists of the copolymer of a monovinyl monomer, selected from the group comprising acrylates, methacrylates, vinylpyridine, N-vinylpyrrolidone, vinyl acetate, and hydroxystyrene, with a divinyl monomer, selected from the group comprising alkylene and hydroxyalkylene diacrylates and dimethacrylates, divinylbenzene, and divinylpyridine, at the ratio of monomers of both types ranging from 5:95 to 95:5 wt. %. The membranes are formed from polymeric globular entities which have the size 0.05 to 0.5 μm and are interconnected by covalent bonds, whereas communicating voids--pores occur between the globuli. n The total thickness of membranes is 0.2 to 15 mm. and their specific surface area, which is measurable also in the dry state, may attain 400 m 2 /g. Glycidyl methacrylate is advantageously used as the monovinyl monomer in the amount 5-80 vol. % related to the total volume of monomers. Ethylene dimethacrylate is advantageously used in the amount 20-95 vol. % related to the volume of monomers as the divinyl monomer. The membranes contain on their inner surface covalently bound allyl, hydroxyl, amine, sulfonate, hydrogensulfonate, thiol, and/or alkyl groups containing up to 18 carbon atoms and may be reinforced in their whole cross-section with an insert. n Another object of the invention is the method for preparation of macroporous polymeric membranes consisting in placing a mixture of monomers and a radical initiator, dissolved in a porogenic inert organic solvent selected from the group comprising alcohols, esters of carboxylic acids, ketones, and their mixtures, into a space of an adapted shape formed by two temperature-controlled plates and a distance insert having the thickness corresponding to the required thickness of membrane and heating up to 80° C. for 24 hours at utmost in order to carry out the radical polymerization. Azo-bis-isobutyronitrile is advantageously used as an initiator in the amount 0.05-2 wt. % related to monomers in the polymerization mixture. Cyclohexanol or its mixture containing up to 20 vol. % dodecanol are advantageously used as a porogenic solvent in the amount 40-60 vol. % in the polymerization batch. Further object of the invention is the method of application of macroporous membranes, where a sector made from the membrane is placed on a base fixing its position and enabling the outlet of liquid passing through the membrane, which base create a wall of a chamber. The chamber is filled with a solution of polymer or polymer mixture, the solution passes through the membrane under pressure up to 1 MPa, the polymer or polymers are sorbed in the membrane, and then a solvent with properties changing according to the purposeful program is introduced into the chamber and individual components of the separated mixture are eluted and detected and/or collected. The properties of solvent changing according to the program may be pH, ionic strength, temperature, or concentration of an organic solvent miscible with water. |