Production of asymmetric track membranes by gas-discharge method

An investigation of the structure and surface of poly(ethylene) terephthalate (PET) track membranes (TM) treated with a plasma RF-discharge in non-polymerizing gases has been performed. It was arranged that the effect of non-polymerizing gas plasma on the TM results in etching a surface layer of the membranes. The membrane pore size and the shape change in this case. It is shown that it is possible to change the structure of track membranes directly by gas-discharge etching. Depending on the choice of discharge parameters, it is possible to achieve etching conditions either in part of the channel or along the whole length of the pore channels. In both cases membranes with asymmetric pores are formed, which possess a higher porosity and flow rate.