Patent ID: 6112908
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: B01D,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for producing a laminate, the laminate comprising a hydrogel layer bound to a microporous hydrophobic membrane, comprising:(a) dissolving or dispersing one or more hydrophilic prepolymers in a volatile, low surface tension organic liquid, or in an aqueous mixture of a volatile, low surface tension organic liquid, to produce a coating solution of the prepolymer, the coating solution having a viscosity of from about 100 to about 1000 centipoise;(b) applying the coating solution to one surface of a microporous hydrophobic membrane sheet, or to the external surface of a microporous, hydrophobic hollow fiber membrane to form a coating on the surface;(c) evaporating the volatile components from the coating;(d) contacting the coated surface with a solution of a crosslinking agent to crosslink the coated surface and thereby render the coating water-insoluble;(e) optionally water-washing the crosslinked polymer to remove water soluble components therefrom; and(f) drying the coating to remove residual moisture, to produce the laminate.