Preparation and properties of polytetrafluoroethylene/CaCO3 hybrid hollow fiber membranes

A novel method of preparing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hollow fiber membrane was presented by utilizing poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) can form a gel of two dimensional complex compounds with Boric acid (H₃BO₃). Effects of H₃BO₃ on PTFE nascent hollow fiber were investigated, and the results showed that the introduction of H₃BO₃ effectively reduced the addition of PVA. The configuration named “fibril” formed between PVA and H₃BO₃ could be observed in nascent hollow fiber by SEM (Scanning electronic microscopy). Furthermore, Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) particles (60 nm～ 90 nm) were introduced into PTFE matrix. The interfacial microvoids (IFMs) which were different from the PTFE sintering or node‐fibril network structure were obtained. The assumption of the IFMs formation was proposed in this study. Effects of CaCO₃ amount and draw ratios on structure and properties of hybrid hollow fiber membranes were analyzed, and the SEM results showed that the IFMs quantity and diameter improved with draw ratio increasing. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011