| Abstract: | Ultrafiltration membranes of poly(acrylonitrile-co-sodium styrenesulfonate) [P(AN-co-SSS)] were prepared by casting the copolymer solution into water. The ultrafiltration rate of P(AN-co-SSS) membranes was controlled by adding poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of various molecular weights to the casting solution. The effect of the PEG addition on the membrane properties was examined. By using the P(AN-co-SSS) membranes, which possess various molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) properties, the permeation behaviors of dextran (D) and dextransulfate (DS) were compared. The P(AN-co-SSS) membranes markedly restricted the permeation of DS, owing to electrostatic barrier of the negatively charged groups in the membrane. The electrostatic sieve separation of DS and D, each having similar molecular size, with the membranes was also investigated. The membrane having negatively charged groups effectively rejected to DS with a high permselectivity. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
