Porous stainless steel hollow fibers with shrinkage-controlled small radial dimensions

A method is presented for the preparation of thin (∼250 μm) porous stainless steel hollow fiber membranes based on dry–wet spinning of a particle-loaded polymer solution followed by heat treatment. Extraordinarily small radial dimensions were achieved by controlled shrinkage during thermal treatment. Above the glass transition temperature of the polymer, the dynamics of surface energy-driven viscous flow allow regulated reduction of the macrovoid volume, resulting in a substantial decrease in the final fiber diameter.

Surface energy driven viscous deformation above the glass transition temperature allows tuning of the radial dimensions of porous stainless steel hollow fibers to unprecedented small values.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (84 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Porous stainless steel hollow fiber with diameter of 250-750 μm, prepared using a single spinneret.
► Above the Tg, the dynamics of viscous flow allow regulated reduction of the macro void volume.
► The technique is compatible with existing mature polymeric membrane fabrication methods.