Permeable, porous, polymeric membrane with hydrophilic character, methods for preparing said membranes, and their use

Permeable, porous polymeric membrane with hydro­philic character of the membrane, said character being obtained by treatment with a solution com­prising one or more hydrophilic, mono-or polymeric compounds selected among soluble, OH-containing cellulose derivatives, polyvinylalcohols and low molecular weight, polyfunctional, NH-and/or OH-­containing compounds, optionally in the presence of a cross-linking agent, a surfactant and a initia­tor followed by rendering the layer deposited during the treatment insoluble on the membrane surface by means of a catalyst reaction at elevated tempera­tures in order to fixate the hydrophilic material to the membrane. Furthermore a process for the preparation of these membranes by means of treating a permeable, porous, polymeric membrane of hydro­phobic character with the above solution in the presence of a catalyst and optionally in the pre­sence of a cross-linking agent, a surfactant and an initiator, and curing of the coated membrane by means of heating to form an insoluble, hydrophilic surface layer. The membranes are suitable for use in ultra- and microfiltration.