Finding the Right Syringe and Membrane Filter For Your Lab

The most popular option for filtering aqueous solutions is hydrophilic syringe filters. The cellulose, nylon, and Polyethersulfone syringe filters are water-based solutions because of their hydrophilic properties. It is essential to consider how they are being used while selecting syringe filters for aqueous solutions. The filter connection, pore size, the diameter of the filter, filter material, and sterility are the major factors to remember. In this article, you will read about all these major factors that will help you to find out the appropriate syringe and membrane filters for your lab:

Connection type:

The mainly two types of outlets syringe filters have male Luer slip outlets and female Luer lock inlets. A double Luer lock connection is also available that contains a female Luer lock inlet and male Luer lock inlet, and syringe filters can also be fitted with a double Luer lock connection. The tightness and seal is secure with this type of threaded connection.

Membrane material:

The membrane of syringe filters can be produced of several materials that are compatible with a specific range of solvents used in aqueous solutions and can manage different applications. During choosing a syringe filter for an aqueous solution, consider chemical compatibility, flow rate, binding properties, the extractable and wet ability of the membrane. The hydrophilic filters attract water by pushing away additional molecules and permitting water access to the membrane of a filter. In this way, the membrane of the syringe filter stays free of contaminants.

Pore size:

The size of different particles helps to find the right size of syringe filters but only after filtering out the aqueous solution. There are ten pore sizes of syringe filters for aqueous solutions. More pressure is required to pass your sample through the syringe filter if the pore is finer. For example, when you will filter out particulate 0.2 microns in diameter, then you have to pick a syringe filter with a 0.20 µm pore size.

Choosing a diameter:

The size of your sample is based on the syringe filter size. In other words, the amount of volume you will push throughout the syringe filter. As a general rule, if you are planning to drive a high volume of aqueous solution through the syringe filter, you should make use of a syringe filter with a greater membrane area. The syringe filters for aqueous solutions are available in seven different diameters. According to your requirement, you can select your syringe filter size. If you want to push small volume samples less than 1ml, you need to use 4 mm filters. And if you wish to push large-volume samples of more than 100 ml, you need to use 30 mm filters.

Sterile or nonsterile:

Sterile and nonsterile are two types of options of syringe filters for aqueous solutions. The processing application of your sample to be determined which option you should choose. Sterile syringe filters come independently wrapped to ensure optimal performance if you want to purify an aqueous solution. A non-sterile syringe filter should meet your requirements if your aqueous solution is going to be filtered again through a sterilization process.