(593e) Developing Direct Ink Writing As a New Manufacturing Strategy for Polysulfone Membranes

Flat sheet polymer membranes for water treatment applications have traditionally been fabricated by doctor blading or slot-die extrusion for producing large area films. The solvents often utilized in these processes are toxic, which has led to a desire to utilize fabrication methods such as 3D printing, that enables reduction in solvent waste and better control of membrane fabrication parameters. Recently, direct ink writing (DIW), a type of 3D printing, has been shown to be a pathway for membrane fabrication with reduced material waste, allowing manufacturing of the same size membrane with less material.

During this talk, we will analyze the critical parameters of the DIW process that affect the separation properties of polysulfone membranes – examples of such parameters include substrate type, print pattern and post-processing methods. A solvent exchange post-printing process involving the exposure of the membranes to low surface tension liquids, will be discussed as a potential strategy to avoid pore collapse and rapid flux declines observed in these membranes. Transport properties of membranes including permeability and molecular weight cut-offs, as well as morphological properties, will be discussed.