Sol–gel derived poly(vinyl alcohol)/maleic acid/silica hybrid membrane for desalination by pervaporation

Highly dispersed homogeneous hybrid polymer–inorganic membranes based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), maleic acid (MA) and inorganic silica were synthesized via a sol–gel method. Tetraethoxy-silane (TEOS) was used as the silica precursor with MA as an additional crosslinking agent. A range of techniques such as FTIR, SEM, TGA, XRD and DSC were used to characterise the nanostructure and properties of hybrid membranes. Results revealed silica nanoparticles (<10 nm) were well dispersed in the polymer matrix with chemical bonding between the organic and inorganic phases. Thermal properties of the hybrid membranes were significantly enhanced when compared with pure PVA membranes, and swelling of PVA based hybrid membranes was greatly suppressed.The chemically crosslinked PVA with maleic acid and silica resulted in the formation of new hybrid membranes with improved pervaporation properties for desalination application. The pervaporation separation performance of aqueous salt solution was found to be directly related to the diffusion coefficient of water through hybrid PVA/MA/silica membranes. Introduction of MA and silica at given amounts into the polymer chain increased the amorphous region of the membrane and favoured the diffusion of water molecules through the membrane. A water flux of 6.93 kg/m2 h with salt rejection of >99.5% was achieved at a 6 Torr vacuum and 22 °C.

► Novel PVA/MA/silica hybrid membranes has been synthesised via a sol–gel route and a solution casting method.
► Swelling of the hybrid membranes was significantly suppressed with improved thermal properties.
► Pervaporation separation of NaCl solution achieved a high water flux of 6.93 kg/m2 h and salt rejection > 99.5% at a 6 Torr vacuum and 22 ̊C.
► Pervaporation properties of hybrid PVA/MA/silica membranes were directly related to the diffusion of water through the membranes.