Polymer porous membrane prepared using thermally induced phase separation

Aim: To analyze the mechanism, thermadynamic theoretical basis, dynamic mechanism and influencing factors of thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) in order to completely grasp the factors affecting the size, distribution and form of pores, so that the adjusted range of pore can be widened and the preparation of porous membrane can be repeated and controlled. Methods: Considering from the structural characteristics of tissue engineered materials, the methods of preparing porous membrane using TIPS technique, the hermadynamic theoretical basis, dynamic mechanism and influencing factors were analyzed, the problems and investigative directions in the future were also analyzed. Results: 1 Polymer porous membrane can be prepared using TIPS technique. 2 Porous membrane prepared using TIPS technique is a process of phase separation of polymer homogenous solution under quenching, and it is suitable for upper critical solution temperature (UCST) polymer-attmuant binary system. 3 The process of TIPS in inducing membrane can be considered that spinodal decomposition mechanism is in dominance. 4 The porous rate, pore diameter and structural form of the micropore materials prepared using TIPS are closely correlated with the kind and dispensing proportion of polymer attmuant, polymer concentration and polymer molecular mass, etc. Conclusion: 1 A series of porous membrane materials of different size and distribution of pore diameter using TIPS technique can be obtained by changing different conditions for inducing membrane. 2 Further investigations should be conducted, including determination of polymer-solvent system phase diagram, study of form and appearance of porous membrane of different thickness, study of form and appearance of porous membrane prepared with systems of different Χ, which is the parameter of polymer-solvent interaction.