Macroporous, Mesoporous, and Microporous Membranes

Macroporous membranes consist of a solid matrix with defined holes or pores which have diameters larger than 50 nm (Strathmann et al. 2006). These types of membranes are used in driving force pressure process such as microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF). They can be classified according to:

• 1. The type of materials: organic (polymers) and inorganic (glasses, metals, and ceramics)

• 2. Their structure: symmetric and asymmetric

• 3. Their configuration: flat sheet, hollow fiber membrane, capillary, and tubular

The separation of solutes by macroporous membranes is mainly a function of molecular size and pore size distribution. The methods are used for making membranes are phase inversion, sintering, stretching, track etching, template leaching, slip casting, and sol-gel process.

Mesoporous membranes consist of a solid matrix with defined holes or pores which have diameters in intermediate range between 2 and 50 nm (Strathmann et al. 2006).

Mesoporous membranes are used mainly for...