Characterization of Membrane by Different Techniques

As the properties of a membrane sinface play significant roles in practical applications, it is important to have the means to characterize and measure those properties. In fact, surface characterization is not only important for understanding the relationship between the membrane structure and its properties but also for guiding surface modification. It is well known that various aspects of a membrane surface, which include chemical composition, morphology and topography, wettability and biocompatibility, can affect the properties and applications remarkably [84], 

There are numerous techniques for the characterization of polymeric membranes, as well illustrated in literature. Many kinds of surface characterization techniques may be applied to study the surface properties of polymer membranes. They can be classified into the following categories  

Other methods such as contact angle and zeta potential measinement. 

Among these, some of the most frequently used are attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), static secondary ion mass spectrometry (SSIMS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), optical microscopy, laser confocal scanning microscopy (LCSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), enviromnental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle measurement, and some evaluation methods for the biocompatibility of membrane surfaces. 

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