Selecting the right membrane filter starts with understanding your application. Whether you're working in environmental monitoring, life sciences, pharmaceutical research, or industrial filtration, the membrane material, pore size, and chemical compatibility all play a critical role in achieving accurate and reliable results.
Use the guide below to find the recommended membrane type for your specific application. Each section outlines typical use cases, suitable membrane materials, and key benefits to help you make the best selection. If you need additional guidance, our filtration experts are available to help — contact us at [email protected].
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Activation analysis | PCTE or PETE | - Minimal absorption of beta radiation.
- Low membrane trace elements.
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| Adsorbable organic halide (AOX) | PCTE for AOX0.4 µm | - Low trace halides in membrane.
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| Densitometry | PCTE or PETE | - Uniform transmissivity of light within same lot.
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| Emission spectroscopy | PCTE or PETE | - Very low trace element background.
|
| Gravimetric analysis | PCTE or PETE | - More accurate weight measurements.
- Matched weight filters not required.
- Low, constant tare and ash weights.
- Non-hygroscopic. Tare weight not significantly changed by moisture adsorption.
- Reduced analysis time.
|
| Microchemical analysis | PCTE or PETE | - Microchemical tests can be made on the membrane.
- Excellent chemical resistance.
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| Qualitative analysis | PCTE | - Surface capture of sample in one plane.
- Low trace elements in membrane.
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| Radioactive monitoring and analysis | PCTE or PETE | - Accurate, consistent measurements of low energy alpha and beta emissions.
- Corrections for filter absorption eliminated.
- Best for fractionating radiocolloids.
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| X-ray diffraction | Silver | - Minimum of interfering spectra.
- NIOSH Method S315.
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| X-ray fluorescence | PCTE or PETE | - Membrane can be used for the target.
- Low trace elements — no characteristic radiation.
- Ideal for combined SEM/X-ray fluorescence analysis.
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| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Plasmapheresis | PCTE or PETE0.6, 0.8 µm | - Low hemolysis due to smooth membrane surface.
- Low non-specific binding of proteins.
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| Red blood cell deformability | PCTE for RBC deformability4.7 µm | - Thinness and capillary pores allow near in-vivo measurements without hemolysis.
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| Red blood cell filtration | PCTE8.0 µm | - Low hemolysis due to smooth membrane surface.
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| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Studies of cells | Cell culture PCTE or PETE0.4 – 5.0 µm | - Near in-vivo conditions.
- High diffusion rate.
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| Prefiltration of tissue culture media | Glass fiber filter | - High dirt loading capacity.
- Low cost.
|
| Sterile filtration of tissue culture media | Microbiology & Life Science Supplies0.22 and 0.45 µm | - Excellent removal of microorganisms.
- Excellent throughput.
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| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Chemotaxis | PCTE for chemotaxis | - Rapid cell migration.
- Reduced incubation times.
- Sterilization not necessary.
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| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Cytology | PCTE3.0, 5.0, 8.0 µm | - All cells are in focus.
- Membrane does not stain.
- Resistant to alcohols, stains, and xylene.
- No cell loss, cellular distortion, nor cell lysing.
- No RBCs, proteins, or cellular debris in specimen.
- High strength allows less critical handling.
- Simpler microscopic analysis.
- High flow rates minimize cell damage.
|
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Prefiltration and coarse clarification | Glass fiber filter | - High dirt loading capacity.
- Low cost.
|
| Beverage stabilization | MCE or Nylon0.45 – 1.2 µm | |
| Particulate and bacterial removal | PCTE, MCE, Nylon0.1 – 5.0 µm | |
| Finish clarification | MCE or Nylon0.22 – 1.0 µm | - High dirt loading capacity.
- Absolute filtration.
|
| Fuel testing | MCE0.45, 0.8 µm | |
| Liposome extrusion | PCTE0.03 – 0.4 µm | - Consistency of vesicles.
- Faster than other methods.
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| Sterilizing filtration | PCTE, MCE, Nylon0.1 – 0.22 µm | - Absolute removal of bacteria.
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| Serum filtration | MCE or Nylon0.1 and 0.22 µm | - Absolute removal of microorganisms.
- Relatively high dirt loading capacity.
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| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Gunshot residue test (GSR) | PETE0.4 and 0.6 µm | - Surface capture in one plane.
- Excellent chemical resistance.
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| Microscopic examination of samples | PCTE or PETE0.4 µm | - Surface capture in one plane of focus.
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| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| HPLC solutions filtration | Laminated PTFE, PVDF Discs and Syringe Filters0.4 µm | - Excellent chemical resistance.
- High flow rates.
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| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Direct optical observation | PCTE or PETE0.2 and 0.4 µm | - Samples collected in one plane, in focus.
- Superior morphologic resolution.
- Excellent chemical compatibility.
- Membrane does not stain.
- No clearing of membrane necessary.
- Simpler slide preparation.
- Uniform sample deposition.
- Minimum autofluorescence.
- Standard Methods/Water and Waste Water, 17th Edition.
- ASTM D4455-85, D4454-85, and F1095-88.
|
| Electron microscopy | PCTE0.1 – 5.0 µm |
Epifluorescent microscopy
Bacteria total count · Yeast total count · Spore observation | Black PCTE0.2 – 5.0 µm / 0.6 and 0.8 µm / 5.0 µm |
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Concentration | PCTE or PETE3.0 – 5.0 µm | - Low non-specific binding of microorganisms.
|
| Fractionation | PCTE or PETE | - Low non-specific binding of microorganisms.
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| Cryptosporidium | PCTE | |
| Giardia lamblia | PCTE5.0 µm | |
| Harvesting | PCTE or PETE | - Surface capture of microorganisms.
- Ability to backwash for harvesting.
|
| Observation | PCTE or PETE0.2 – 0.8 µm | - Surface capture of microorganisms.
- Membrane is non-staining.
|
| Direct Total Microbial Count | PCTE0.2 – 5.0 µm | - See Epifluorescent Microscopy under Microscopy.
|
| Dirofilaria immitis | PCTE5.0 µm | - Surface capture of microfilaria.
- Membrane does not stain.
|
| Legionella | PCTE0.2 µm | - Low non-specific binding.
|
| Schistosoma haematobium | PCTE12.0 – 14.0 µm | |
| Sterility testing | MCE0.22 and 0.45 µm | |
| Total and fecal coliform | MCE0.45 and 0.7 µm | - Standard Methods/Water and Wastewater, 17th Ed.
|
| Yeasts and molds | PCTE (black)0.6 and 0.8 µm | - Surface capture of sample.
- Membrane does not stain.
|
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Construction/Analysis | PCTE | - Uniform cylindrical pore size and shape.
- Membrane can be dissolved away with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, Methylene chloride, or Chloroform.
- Strict pore size control allows for specific diameter of SWNT design.
- PCTE-developed nanotubes can provide better SERS enhancement than other common methods.
|
| Template for nanomaterial development for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) | PCTE |
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Alkaline elution | PCTE0.8 – 2.0 µm | - Does not absorb DNA.
- DNA is retained intact.
|
| Filtration of DNA fragments | PCTE0.2 µm | - Single strand passes through filter without breaking.
|
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Small volumes | MicroPrep syringe filters | |
| Prefiltration | Glass fiber filters | - Inexpensive and high dirt loading capacity.
|
| Sterilization | MCE, Nylon0.1 – 0.22 µm | - Absolute retention.
- 21 CFR 210 and 211.
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| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Concentration / separation / fractionation / purification | PCTE or PETE0.01 – 0.1 µm | - Low non-specific binding of viruses and proteins.
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| Observation | PCTE or PETE0.01 and 0.03 µm | - Direct observation of viruses by epifluorescent microscopy.
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| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|
| Organic halides (AOX) | Low chlorine PCTE0.4 µm | - Undetectable halides from membrane in residual ash.
|
| Nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, and ammonia | Low extractable PCTE0.45 µm | - Does not leach out chemicals of interest from membrane.
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| Culturing of microorganisms | MCE0.22 – 0.7 µm | - Standard Methods/Water and Wastewater, 17th Edition.
|
| Direct count of microorganisms | Black PCTE0.4 – 5.0 µm | - See Epifluorescent Microscopy under Microscopy.
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