Electrosurface and structural properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) track membranes

The electrosurface characteristics are studied for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) track membranes (TMs) with pore radii of 6.5–60 nm, which are used for ultra- and microfiltration. The data obtained enable one to indirectly assess the structure of tracks and variations in the pore space structure of TMs with an increase in the pore radii. Higher porosity values obtained for TMs from the data on their electrical resistance in comparison with those derived from the filtration data lead one to state that the PET pore surface has a loose structure. The thermal treatment of TMs makes the porosity values determined by the methods of electrical resistance and filtration closer to one another. The regularities of variations in the isoelectric point, ζ potential, and surface charge suggest that the properties and structure of PET pore surface depend on the pore radius. The data obtained may be used to predict the separating power of TMs.