Separation of ethylene/ethane and propylene/propane by cellulose acetate-silica nanocomposite membranes

► Effect of nano-silica studied on separation of olefin/paraffin in cellulose acetate. ► The results showed an increase in permeability of ethylene and propylene by silica. ► The C2H4/C2H6 and C3H6/C3H8 gas selectivities increase by silica in nanocomposites. ► The solubility coefficient increase and diffusion coefficient decrease by silica. ► The results showed no plasticization effects up to 8 bara feed pressure.