Gel-filled hollow fiber membranes for water softening

Three different gel-filled microporous poly(propylene) hollow fiber (HF) membranes were prepared by the incorporation of poly(4-vinylpyridinium salt) gels into the fiber walls. The gels were anchored in the pores of the membrane by cross-linking poly(4-vinylpyridine) with α,α′-dichloro-p-xylene, followed by quaternization using benzyl bromide. Different distributions of the gel were achieved by varying the preparation conditions. Energy …