Patent ID: 9737860
Date: 2017-08-22
CPC Classifications: B01D

Claim:
1. A hollow fiber membrane comprising: (i) an inner surface; (ii) an outer surface; and (iii) a porous bulk disposed between the inner surface and the outer surface, wherein the porous bulk comprises at least a first region including: a) a first set of pores having a first controlled pore size and having outer rims; b) a second set of pores connecting the outer rims of the first set of pores, wherein the pore size of the first set of pores is about 570 nm and the pore size of the second set of pores is about 310 nm; and c) a first polymer matrix supporting the first set of pores and the second set of pores, wherein the porous bulk further comprises at least a second region including: d) a third set of pores having outer rims; e) a fourth set of pores connecting the outer rims of the third set of pores, wherein the pore size of the third set of pores is about 171 nm and the pore size of the fourth set of pores is about 93 nm; and (f) a second polymer matrix supporting the third set of pores and the fourth set of pores; or wherein the porous bulk comprises at least a first region including: a) a first set of pores having a first controlled pore size and having outer rims; b) a second set of pores connecting the outer rims of the first set of pores, wherein the pore size of the first set of pores is about 310 nm and the pore size of the second set of pores is about 570 nm; and c) a first polymer matrix supporting the first set of pores and the second set of pores, wherein the porous bulk further comprises at least a second region including: d) a third set of pores having outer rims; e) a fourth set of pores connecting the outer rims of the third set of pores, wherein the pore size of the third set of pores is about 93 nm and the pore size of the fourth set of pores is about 171 nm; and (f) a second polymer matrix supporting the third set of pores and the fourth set of pores; wherein each of the first and second polymer matrices comprises a polymer selected from polyethersulfone (PES), polyether ether sulfone, bisphenol A polysulfone, polyphenylsulfone, a polyvinylidene halide, a polyolefin, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyacrylonitrile, a cellulosic polymer, a fluoropolymer, and polyetherether ketone (PEEK); wherein the first set of pores has a hexagonal structure and hollow fiber membrane has a void volume fraction of about 66% to 74%.