hero-654791312-sized

Ensights

Science that is transforming lives and enabling the future

Filtration Fundamentals: Membrane Wetting

All Posts

Filtration Fundamentals: Membrane Wetting

Wetting the membrane is an important first step in preparing your filter. Wetting the membrane pores eliminates dry pathways where contaminants, like particles, gels, or bubbles could pass through, resulting in high defect levels in your process. Polymer membranes are natively hydrophobic or hydrophilic.

  • Hydrophobic – having a natural aversion to water
  • Hydrophilic – having a natural affinity to water

If a membrane is hydrophobic, it is difficult to wet with water. This results in a high contact angle, or a very round bead of water sitting on top of the membrane. If a membrane is hydrophilic, it is easily wet with water, and the water will penetrate the pores of the membrane. 

This phenomenon directly relates to the surface tension of the liquid and the surface energy of the membrane. In the case of hydrophobic membranes, the surface tension of water is much higher than the surface energy of the membrane.  To overcome this phenomenon, a lower surface tension fluid, like IPA (isopropyl alcohol), can be used to wet the membrane. 

Watch as Dr. Aiwen Wu, senior applications engineer, demonstrates the different wettability of various polymer membranes when exposed to DI (deionized) water and IPA. He also explains how the use of surface modification technology can alter wettability to enhance liquid filtration performance in specific applications.


Keep an eye out for the next blog where Dr. Wu describes how filter membranes can maintain wettability, even when confronted by outgassing chemistries.

Related: The Lithographer's Toolkit

Related Posts

Employee Spotlight: Ping Jiang

What does an Entegris employee look like? What do they do all day, and what do they like about their jobs? This blog begins a series that will take a deep dive into a variety of careers at Entegris. We’ll highlight several employees and their valuable contribution to the organization. What do they do, how are they succeeding, and why do they think Entegris is a great place to work?

Employee Spotlight: Daniel Olaitan

What does an Entegris employee look like? What do they do all day, and what do they like about their jobs? This blog begins a series that will take a deep dive into a variety of careers at Entegris. We’ll highlight several employees and their valuable contribution to the organization. What do they do, how are they succeeding, and why do they think Entegris is a great place to work?

H2 Generator for ION Implant

Consistent Gas Mixtures Minimize Implant Equipment Downtime