Organic Microporous Membrane: Organic microporous membranes are made of organic polymers and can be produced with different pore sizes and molecular weights through various manufacturing methods. Common materials for organic microporous membranes include polyamide, polypropylene, and polysulfone. These membranes exhibit high filtration efficiency, good mechanical strength, and strong corrosion resistance. Due to the characteristics of organic materials, they have relatively poor permeability to polar substances such as water. Therefore, organic microporous membranes are suitable for filtering organic solvents, oils, and high-molecular-weight materials. They find applications in various industries such as chemistry, pharmaceuticals, food, and semiconductor for fluid processing and separation, particularly for the filtration and separation of particles, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
Aqueous Microporous Membrane: Aqueous microporous membranes, also known as inorganic microporous membranes, are made from inorganic materials such as aluminum oxide and silicon oxide. Being inherently polar, inorganic materials result in aqueous microporous membranes with good permeability to polar solvents like water. These membranes feature high resolution, excellent chemical stability, thermal stability, and a smooth surface, making them suitable for the filtration and separation of high-molecular-weight substances like microorganisms, proteins, and DNA. Aqueous microporous membranes are commonly used in industries such as biopharmaceuticals and food production for the separation and purification of biological samples, cell culture fluids, and high-molecular-weight solutions.
Differences Between the Two Types of Microporous Membranes: Organic microporous membranes and aqueous microporous membranes are distinct due to their different materials and applications. Organic microporous membranes are extensively used in fields involving organic solvents, oils, and high-molecular-weight materials, whereas aqueous microporous membranes are suitable for the filtration of polar solvents like water. Additionally, the nature of organic materials gives organic microporous membranes higher filtration efficiency but poorer permeability to polar substances. In contrast, aqueous microporous membranes exhibit better permeability.
Choosing the appropriate microporous membrane is crucial for improving filtration efficiency, minimizing losses, and enhancing product quality.