Polymeric Membranes and Uses Thereof

Electrophoresis protein separation membranes have been prepared by step-growth condensation of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol with selected water-soluble difunctional crosslinking agents. These membranes have broad pore size ranges, restricted pore size distribution, greater resistance to hydrolysis in an alkaline medium, and improved gel clarity when higher amounts of crosslinkers are used. 

Preparation of Polyvinyl Alcohol Membrane Crosslinked with Glutaraldehyde 

A reaction vessel was charged with 10 ml 5% of solution polyvinyl alcohol having a M of roughly 20,000 daltons of which 97.5% to 99.5 % were hydrolyzed and 0.333 pL of 6.0M hydrochloric acid and then treated with 91.5 pL of 25% solution of glutaraldehyde. The solution was then poured across a PET support and allowed to stand at ambient temperature for 30 minutes. The membranes were washed with excess distilled water to remove residual catalyst prior to use. 

TABLE 1. Membranes prepared by reacting selected crosslinking agents with 10 ml of 5% solution of polyvinyl alcohol having a M of ronghly 20,000 daltons and 97.5% to 99.5 % hydrolyzed. 

Note Very limited characterization data supplied by author. 

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