Influence of Draw Ratio and Take-Up Velocity on Properties of Ultrafiltration Hollow Fiber Membranes from Polyethersulfone

This study aimed to reveal the influence of the draw ratio and take-up speed on the pore size distribution and morphology of the hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane selective layer. To this end, spinnerets with ring ducts of 1.8 and 1.3 mm were employed, whereas the external diameter of the obtained fiber was kept equal. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to study the morphology of the selective layer. Liquid–liquid displacement porosimetry was used to determine the limiting pore size distribution. The produced polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes had a robust, sponge-like porous structure, permeance 1000 L/(m2·h·bar), smooth selective layer, and mean pore size 25 nm. It was found that limiting pore sizes are affected more by the change in the take-up speed, whereas the surface pore sizes, roughness, and morphology are controlled by the draw ratio. It was shown that excessive draw causes the selective layer stretching and crop-up of the porous sublayer. Consequently, the diameters of the spinneret ring duct and the bore needle should match the hollow fiber outer and lumen diameters, respectively.