Fabrication of pore size controllable polymeric composite membrane using phase change material

We demonstrate a new membrane fabrication method based on phase inversion, using an organic phase change material (PCM) as a porogen. Macropores could be generated even when using a small amount of the PCM. The PCM amount and water-bath temperature employed in phase inversion influenced the membrane pore size. The feasibility of using the novel membrane as a polymeric membrane reservoir with lithium-selective inorganic adsorbents for lithium recovery is investigated through leaching measurements. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.