Cuno, Inc.

Amf Gmbh

Asit K Roy

Chaokang Chu

George T Emond

Robert G Barnes

A cationic charge modified microporous membrane is provided. The membrane comprises a hydrophilic organic polymeric microporous membrane having bonded thereto, through a cross-linking agent, a charge modifying amount of a cationic charge modifying agent. The charge modifying agent is an aliphatic amine or polyamine, preferably tetraethylene pentamine, and the cross-linking agent is an aliphatic polyepoxide having a molecular weight of less than about 500, preferably 1, 4 butanediol diglycidyl ether. The microporous membrane is preferably nylon. The process for applying the charge modifying agent to the membrane, preferably comprises contacting the membrane with an aqueous solution of the charge modifying agent and then contacting the membrane with a substantially aqueous solution of the cross-linking agent. The preferred process uses high purity water, i.e. water having no significant ionic content, to produce a membrane suitable for use in filtering ultra pure (18 megohm-cm resistivity) water for use in producing electronic devices. Such a membrane exhibits an advantageously low 'flush-out' time compared to known cationic charge modified microporous membranes and unmodified microporous membranes.

Process for charge modifying a microporous membrane

Charge modified microporous membrane

A cationic charge modified microporous membrane is provided. The membrane comrises a hydrophilic organic polymeric microporous membrane having bonded thereto, through a cross-linking agent, a charge modifying amount of a cationic charge modifying agent. The charge modifying agent is an aliphatic amine or polyamine, preferably tetraethylene pentamine, and the cross-linking agent is an aliphatic polyepoxide having a molecular weight of less than about 500, preferably 1, 4 butanediol diglycidyl ether. The microporous membrane is preferably nylon. The process for applying the charge modifying agent to the membrane, preferably comprises contacting the membrane with an aqueous solution of the charge modifying agent and then contacting the membrane with a substantially aqueous solution of the cross-linking agent. The preferred process uses high purity water, i.e. water having no significant ionic content, to produce a membrane suitable for use in filtering ultra pure (18 megohm-cm resistivity) water for use in producing electronic devices. Such a membrane exhibits an advantageously low 'flush-out' time compared to known cationic charge modified microporous membranes and unmodified microporous membranes.

Growing community of inventors

Seguin, TX, United States of America

Asit K Roy