About the Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter Membrane

The mixed cellulose ester filter membrane is made of refined nitrocellulose, and added with an appropriate amount of cellulose acetate, acetone, n-butanol, ethanol, etc. It is hydrophilic, non-toxic, and hygienic. A mixed cellulose ester membrane filter is a porous membrane filter material with a comparative pore size distribution and uniform penetrating micropores with a microporosity of up to 80‰. The MCE filter membrane is mainly used for the filtration of water-based solutions, so it is also called a water-based membrane. The mixed cellulose ester(MCE) filter membrane is flammable. When storing, it should be sealed, moisture-proof, and fire-proof.

Filter membrane is essential to use with a syringe filter in the syringe to filter chemically turbid solution samples, most commonly used in chemical HPLC-MS/GC-MS analysis of liquid and gas dust removal, sterilization filtration, biological sample preparation, filtering of tissue culture medium, microbial media, buffer solutions, etc.

There are different filter membranes adopted in the syringe filter to meet different requirements. Today, mixed cellulose esters manufacturer HAWACH will mainly discuss the mixed cellulose ester(MCE) filter membrane in the syringe filter.

Feature of mixed cellulose ester filter membrane

The Mixed Cellulose Ester (MCE) Filter Membrane is a widely used filtration material known for its specific features and advantages. Here are some key features of MCE Filter Membranes:

1. Composition: MCE filter membranes are composed of a mixture of cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate. This blend imparts a balance of mechanical strength and retention capabilities.
2. Hydrophilic Nature: MCE membranes are naturally hydrophilic, which means they readily absorb water. This property allows for efficient filtration of aqueous solutions without the need for pre-wetting.
3. Chemical Compatibility: They are compatible with a wide range of chemicals, including acids, bases, and organic solvents. However, they may not be suitable for use with strong solvents or aggressive chemicals.
4. Pore Size Range: Available in a variety of pore sizes, typically ranging from 0.1 μm to 10 μm. This versatility makes MCE membranes suitable for a wide array of filtration applications.
5. Low Protein Binding: MCE membranes typically exhibit low protein-binding properties. This makes them particularly suitable for applications involving protein samples, such as in the field of life sciences.
6. Applications: They find wide-ranging applications in microbiology, air monitoring, water analysis, and particle collection. MCE membranes are commonly used for the filtration of aqueous samples and biological fluids.
7. Sterilization Compatibility: MCE filter membranes can be sterilized through methods like autoclaving, gamma irradiation, or ethylene oxide gas sterilization. This enables their use in sterile applications.
8. Gridded Membranes: Some MCE filter membranes come with a grid pattern. This feature aids in sample identification and allows for easier counting of colonies in microbiological applications.

The main application of mixed cellulose ester filter membrane

1. The pharmaceutical industry requires autoclaving, water injection, large infusion, traditional Chinese medicine extraction, and beverage filtration to remove particles, which can improve the internal quality of drugs and the pass rate of clarity and sterilization of heat-sensitive drugs (insulin ATP, coenzyme A, and other biochemical preparations).

Use membrane filter 0.45 μm (or 0.3 μm, 0.2 μm filter membrane), the sterility test of antibiotic film method.

2. Analysis and determination of particles and oil insoluble matter in solution, and determination of water pollution index.

3. Medical and sanitation, the detection of human body fluids and bloodworms, and the detection of coli-group in drinking water, surface water, and well water.

4. Fine filtration of high-purity water in the electronics industry.

5. Applied to research departments such as somatic cell hybridization and mitochondrial complementation to predict heterosis.

6. The filter membrane must be in a wet state when filtering liquid. If the filter membrane becomes dry due to disinfection, it must be wetted with sterile water. If the wetting is not good, the flow rate must be disinfected before the sterilization filtration. And then carry out sterilization filtration in a sterile room, which should be carried out strictly in accordance with the sterilization operating procedures, with a nominal pore size of 0.45 microns, 0.3 microns, and 0.2 microns, and escherichia coli with a nominal pore size of 0.65 microns.

7. The membrane is resistant to high temperatures of 120 degrees, flammable, not resistant to acids and alkalis, and not resistant to solvents. It is only suitable for aqueous solutions (PH2-10), oils, air, fruit juices, wines, etc. Whether the filter material is suitable for the filter membrane before use should be well noted.

8. When the filter is used, the original air inside the filter should be discharged when the material liquid enters the filter, otherwise, the filter speed will be affected.

9. When the filter residue is below 0.025 microns, it is not advisable to use a microporous membrane to filter. It only has an adsorption effect on heat source viruses and cannot be completely removed.

10. Pay attention to problems when using natural pressure, pressurization, vacuum, and negative pressure to prevent bacteria and particles in the outside air from inhaling and polluting the filtrate when vacuuming. For pressure filtration, the faster the filtration rate, the faster the pressure, the faster the filtration rate. For high pressure, we should consider whether the main body of the filter is intact, generally not more than 0.3MPa/c㎡.

11. Put the filter membrane into the container, soak it in distilled water at about 70 degrees to make it wet for several hours (about 4 hours) and then wash it with distilled water once for use.

Handling and Storage:

MCE membranes should be stored in a cool, dry place, and exposure to excessive heat or moisture should be avoided. Proper handling practices, including using clean tools and gloves, should be followed to prevent contamination.

MCE filter membranes are a popular choice in laboratories due to their versatility, reliability, and compatibility with a wide range of applications. When selecting MCE membranes, it’s important to consider pore size, membrane format, and other specific requirements of the filtration process. Always follow manufacturer recommendations for optimal use and storage.