Polyvinyl Alcohol Powder for Ultrafiltration Membranes

Polyvinyl alcohol powder has emerged as a critical raw material for ultrafiltration membranes in nuclear chemical applications, thanks to its excellent film-forming ability, chemical stability, and low toxicity—key traits for filtering radioactive contaminants in wastewater or process streams. TANG ZHI TECHNOLOGY (HeBei) CO. LTD, a professional enterprise integrating science, technology, manufacture and trade based in Jinzhou city, Hebei Province, empowers wholesalers to supply high-quality polyvinyl alcohol solutions, including ultra-pure polyvinyl alcohol powder and specialized grades for membrane production. With a 140,000-square-meter factory, 90,000-square-meter building area, automatic production lines, and an annual capacity of over 40,000 tons (main products: HPMC, MHEC, PVA, etc.), the company leverages its strategic location (260km from Beijing, linked to high-speed rails, motorways, and Tianjin/Qingdao ports) to deliver efficient services across regions. As an important chemical raw material, polyvinyl alcohol (white flake, flocculent, or powdery solid, odorless, soluble in water above 95°C) is widely used in adhesives, coatings, and—crucially for nuclear applications—ultrafiltration membranes. For wholesalers catering to nuclear wastewater treatment firms, chemical processors, or membrane manufacturers, partnering with TANG ZHI TECHNOLOGY means accessing industry-compliant polyvinyl alcohol powder that meets strict purity and performance standards for nuclear-grade filtration.

Key Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol Powder for Ultrafiltration Membranes

• High Purity and Low Impurity Content: TANG ZHI’s polyvinyl alcohol powder is processed via multi-stage purification (including distillation and ion exchange) to achieve a purity of ≥ 99.8%, with heavy metal content < 0.05ppm (critical for nuclear applications to avoid contaminating filtered streams). Unlike standard polyvinyl alcohol, this ultra-pure grade has minimal residual acetate groups (≤ 0.5%)—ensuring uniform solubility in water (above 95°C) and consistent film formation. For example, when used to make ultrafiltration membranes for radioactive wastewater treatment, low impurities prevent the powder from reacting with radioactive ions, maintaining membrane integrity. Wholesalers can highlight this purity to clients, as it directly impacts the membrane’s ability to filter contaminants without secondary pollution.4

• Film-Forming and Mechanical Strength: Polyvinyl alcohol powder from TANG ZHI exhibits exceptional film-forming properties—when dissolved and cast into membranes, it forms a dense, flexible structure with high tensile strength (≥ 60 MPa). This mechanical resilience is essential for ultrafiltration membranes in nuclear facilities, where membranes must withstand high operating pressures (up to 0.5 MPa) and repeated cleaning cycles. Unlike polyvinyl alcohol plastic (which is rigid and thermoplastic), the powder’s film retains flexibility, reducing the risk of cracking during use. A membrane manufacturer using this powder can produce filters that maintain pore size (0.01–0.1 μm) even after 100+ cleaning cycles—critical for long-term radioactive filtration. Wholesalers can emphasize this strength to clients, as it extends membrane lifespan and reduces replacement costs.

Preparation Process of Ultrafiltration Membranes Using Polyvinyl Alcohol Powder

Application Advantages of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Ultrafiltration Membranes in Nuclear Industry

• Efficient Filtration of Radioactive Contaminants: Ultrafiltration membranes made with TANG ZHI’s polyvinyl alcohol powder excel at removing radioactive particles (e.g., cesium-137, strontium-90) and colloids from nuclear wastewater. The membrane’s uniform pore size (0.01–0.1 μm) traps contaminants while allowing clean water to pass, achieving a removal efficiency of ≥ 99.9% for particles > 0.05 μm. Unlike traditional filtration media (e.g., sand filters), these membranes require no chemical additives—reducing the risk of secondary waste generation. For example, in a nuclear power plant’s wastewater treatment system, polyvinyl alcohol-based membranes can process 100+ m³ of water per day, ensuring compliance with discharge standards. Wholesalers can market this efficiency to clients, as it simplifies nuclear waste management.

• Compatibility with Nuclear-Grade Cleaning Agents: Polyvinyl alcohol-based membranes are resistant to common nuclear-grade cleaning agents (e.g., dilute nitric acid, sodium hydroxide), allowing for repeated sanitization without degradation. This is a key advantage over membranes made from other materials (e.g., cellulose acetate), which may dissolve or swell in harsh cleaners. TANG ZHI’s polyvinyl alcohol powder is formulated to enhance this resistance—after cross-linking, the membrane retains 90%+ of its mechanical strength even after 50 cycles of acid cleaning. A nuclear wastewater plant using these membranes can extend their service life to 2–3 years, reducing operational costs. Wholesalers can highlight this compatibility to clients, as it lowers maintenance requirements.

Technical Advantages of TANG ZHI’s Polyvinyl Alcohol Powder for Nuclear Compliance

• Compliance with Nuclear Industry Standards: TANG ZHI’s polyvinyl alcohol powder meets strict nuclear industry guidelines, including ISO 10993 (biological safety) and ASTM D638 (mechanical properties). The company conducts third-party testing to verify radiation stability—polyvinyl alcohol retains 85%+ of its film-forming ability after exposure to 5k Gy gamma radiation (typical for nuclear wastewater facilities). Additionally, the powder is free of halogens (chloride, bromide < 0.01%)—preventing corrosion of membrane equipment in nuclear environments. For wholesalers, this compliance eliminates the need for additional testing, as the product can be directly supplied to nuclear clients with certification.

• Customization for Membrane-Specific Needs: TANG ZHI offers customized polyvinyl alcohol powder grades to match membrane manufacturers’ requirements, including varying degrees of hydrolysis (88–99%) and molecular weights (10,000–100,000 g/mol). A client producing high-flux membranes may opt for a low-molecular-weight grade (10,000–20,000 g/mol) for better solubility, while a client needing high-strength membranes may choose a high-molecular-weight variant (80,000–100,000 g/mol). The R&D team collaborates with wholesalers and their clients to adjust parameters, ensuring the powder fits exact membrane formulations. Wholesalers can leverage this customization to serve niche nuclear membrane markets, enhancing their competitive edge.

Polyvinyl Alcohol Powder FAQS

What Degree of Hydrolysis Is Ideal for Polyvinyl Alcohol Powder in Nuclear-Grade Membranes?

For nuclear-grade ultrafiltration membranes, TANG ZHI recommends polyvinyl alcohol powder with a hydrolysis degree of 98–99%. This high hydrolysis grade offers the best balance of solubility (dissolves in water above 95°C) and chemical stability—critical for withstanding nuclear wastewater and cleaning agents. Lower hydrolysis grades (e.g., 88%) may have better solubility but reduced resistance to acids, while higher grades (> 99%) may be difficult to dissolve uniformly. Wholesalers can guide clients to select the right grade based on their membrane’s operating conditions, ensuring optimal performance.

Is Polyvinyl Alcohol Powder Compatible with Other Membrane Additives?

Yes—TANG ZHI’s polyvinyl alcohol powder is compatible with common membrane additives, including pore-forming agents (e.g., polyethylene glycol) and antimicrobial agents (e.g., silver nanoparticles). The powder’s low impurity content prevents unwanted reactions with additives, ensuring consistent membrane properties. For example, mixing polyvinyl alcohol with 5% polyethylene glycol creates membranes with larger pores (0.1 μm) for filtering larger radioactive colloids. Wholesalers can assure clients of this compatibility, as it allows membrane manufacturers to tailor filters to specific nuclear applications.

How Does Polyvinyl Alcohol Powder Compare to Other Membrane Materials ?

Polyvinyl alcohol powder offers unique advantages for nuclear membranes: 1) Lower cost (30–50% cheaper than PVDF powder); 2) Better biocompatibility (no toxic leachables, critical for wastewater discharge); 3) Easier film formation (soluble in water, vs. PVDF which requires organic solvents). While PVDF has higher chemical resistance, polyvinyl alcohol-based membranes excel in radioactive particle filtration and low-waste generation—key priorities for nuclear facilities. Wholesalers can help clients weigh trade-offs based on their specific needs, such as cost vs. extreme chemical exposure.

What Packaging Options Are Available for Bulk Polyvinyl Alcohol Powder? 

TANG ZHI offers flexible packaging for polyvinyl alcohol powder to meet wholesalers’ needs: 1) 25kg moisture-proof paper bags (with inner PE liners, for small-batch orders); 2) 500kg woven plastic bags (for medium orders, stackable for storage); 3) 1000kg bulk bags (for large-scale membrane manufacturers, compatible with automated feeding systems). All packaging is labeled with nuclear industry compliance marks and includes a certificate of analysis. Wholesalers can choose packaging based on client inventory capacity and production line requirements.

Does TANG ZHI Provide Technical Support for Polyvinyl Alcohol Powder in Membrane Production?

Absolutely—TANG ZHI’s technical team offers free support for polyvinyl alcohol powder applications, including: 1) Dissolution and casting parameter optimization (e.g., temperature, stirring speed); 2) Troubleshooting (e.g., fixing membrane cracking, adjusting pore size); 3) Custom formulation development (e.g., radiation-resistant grades for nuclear membranes). The team also provides training for wholesalers’ clients on powder handling and membrane production best practices. To explore TANG ZHI TECHNOLOGY (HeBei) CO. LTD’s polyvinyl alcohol powder, polyvinyl alcohol, and other related products—plus bulk ordering, certification, and technical support—visit our company webpage today.