Membrane Selection Guide

Syringe Filter Membrane Selection Guide

When filtering samples, it is important to use the correct membrane for your
application. This guide should help you determine which membrane is most suitable for
your requirements.

To find suitable filters by chemical, see our chemical compatibility guide.

Select the filter you need from the menu on the left or links below. If you are unsure
which membrane is best for you then please ask! We are happy to help!

Cellulose Acetate (CA)

Cellulose acetate is a very low protein binding membrane that is ideal for aqueous
based samples and biological samples. It is a lower protein binder than either
polyethersulphone or PVDF membranes, but has a lower chemical resistance than
regenerated cellulose. CA is a strong membrane mechanically and hydrophilic.

Membrane: HPLC Certified Cellulose Acetate

Protein Binding: <24µg/cm2
Use with: Aqueous samples
Don't use with: Organic solvents
Sterilisation: Syringe filters can be sterilised by autoclave at 125° for 15 minutes.
Applications: Biological samples, tissue culture media filtration, preparation of aqueous
samples for HPLC

Glass Microfibre (GMF)

Glass Microfibre filters should be used as a pre-filter for samples with a high particulate
content. GMF membranes are available with a higher pore size than other membranes
and is tolerant to most solvents.

Membrane: Binder-free Glass Microfiber

Use with: Heavily contaminated samples
Don't use with: Benzyl alcohol
Sterilisation: Syringe filters can be sterilised by autoclave at 125° for 15 minutes.
Applications: Dissolution testing, filtration of high particulate samples, air filtration,
recovery of DNA from biological samples

Nylon
Nylon membranes are extremely low in extractables and mechanically very strong.
They possess good thermal stability up to 50°C and are a good all-round filter for HPLC
samples. Naturally hydrophilic membrane that provides broad compatibiity with
aqueous and organic samples.

Membrane: HPLC Certified Nylon.

Use with: Bases, Most HPLC solvents, Alcohols, Aromatic Hydrocarbons, THF.
Don't use with: Acids, Aggressive Halogenated hydrocarbons, protein samples (Nylon is a
high binder)
Sterilisation: Syringe filters can be sterilised by autoclave at 125° for 15 minutes.
Applications: General Laboratory filtration, most HPLC samples

Polyethersulphone (PES)
Polyethersulphone is a hydrophilic membrane that has very low protein binding and
high flow characteristics. It is also certified for ion chromatography. Polyethersulphone
is more heat resistant than most membranes, and can be used to 100°C.

Membrane: ICP Certified PES (Polyethersulfone)

Use with: Strong bases, alcohols, proteins, peptides
Don't use with: acids, ketones, esters, halogenated or aromatic hydrocarbons.
Sterilisation: Syringe filters can be sterilised by autoclave at 125° for 15 minutes.
Applications:Ion chromatography, tissue culture filtration, filtration of proteins and
nucleic acids, high-temperature liquids.

Polypropylene (PP)
Hydrophilic polypropylene membranes are chemically resistant and suitable for a wide
variety of organic and aqueous based samples. They are low protein binders and can
be used with strong acids and bases without prewetting.

Membrane: Hydrophilic Polypropylene

Use with: Acids/Bases, general HPLC analysis
Limited resistance with: MeCl and Chloroform.
Sterilisation: Syringe filters can be sterilised by autoclave at 125° for 15 minutes.
Applications: Filtration of biological samples, aggressive organic solvents.

PTFE
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes are chemically resistant to nearlly all
solvents, acids and bases. The membrane has low extractables and good thermal
stability. PTFE is hydrophobic and requires prewetting prior to use with aqueous
solvents.

Membrane: HPLC certified PTFE, with polypropylene support

Use with: Aggressive solvents, strong acids, alcohols, bases, aromatics
Don't use with: Aqueous samples without prewetting (causes high backpressure)
Sterilisation: Syringe filters can be sterilised by autoclave at 125° for 15 minutes.
Applications: Filtration of aggressive organic or highly basic solutions, transducer
protectors.

PVDF
Polyvinylidene difluoride is a hydrophilic membrane that is suitable for most general
biological sample filtration. It has a broad chemical compatibility and is a low protein
binder and so a good choice where high protein recovery is required.

Membrane: HPLC-certified PVDF

Use with: Alcohols, weak acids, proteins, peptides and other biomolecules
Don't use with: Some strong acids, bases, esters, ethers or ketones.
Sterilisation: Syringe filters can be sterilised by autoclave at 125° for 15 minutes.
Applications: General biological filtration, filtration of samples for high protein recovery.
Regenerated Cellulose (RC)
Regenerated cellulose is a hydrophilic solvent resistant membrane. It is a very low
protein binder and is ideal for low nonspecific binding applications; tissue culture media
filtration and general biological sample filtration

Membrane: HPLC Certified Regenerated Cellulose

Use with: Proteins, Peptides and other biomolecules
Don't use with: Strong acids, Chloroform, THF.
Sterilisation: Syringe filters can be sterilised by autoclave at 125° for 15 minutes.
Applications: Low nonspecific binding applications, Tissue culture media filtration and
general biological sample filtration