Surface structure and phase separation mechanism of polysulfone membranes by AFM

AFM을 이용한 폴리술폰막의 표면구조와 상분리현상에 관한 연구

Asymmetric polymeric membranes prepared by the phase transition technique usually have either a top layer consisting of closely packed nodules or pores dispersed throughout the membrane surfaces. In this study, we present AFM image of a polysulfone membrane which show a clear evidence for the nodular structure and porous structure resulted from different phase separation mechanisms; spinodal decomposition and nucleation and growth. The surface morphology obtained by SEM and AFM was also compared.