Hydrophilic membranes based on poly(vinyl methyl ether-crosslinked-polystyrene) semi-interpenetrating networks

Microporous membranes were prepared from poly(vinyl methyl ether - crosslinked-polystyrene) (PVME-cross-PS) semi-IPN's by extraction of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) with water. Membrane morphology and properties are fixed during the process of swelling, phase separation, PVME extraction and vitrification which occurs upon immersing the samples in water. The membranes are characterized by swelling (water uptake), the relative amounts of free and bound water, and their permselectivity towards KCI solution.