Formation of porous flat membrane by phase separation with supercritical CO2

Microporous polystyrene membranes were prepared by the phase separation process using the supercritical CO₂ as a nonsolvent for the polymer solution. The thin polymer solution in a laboratory dish was located inside a cell and the supercritical CO₂ was introduced to induce the phase separation. The dry flat microporous membranes were obtained without collapse of the structure after the CO₂ pressure was diminished. Effects of the experimental conditions such as the CO₂ pressure, the polymer concentration and the temperature on the average pore size and membrane porosity were investigated.