Pervaporation performance enhancement through the incorporation of mesoporous silica spheres into PVA membranes

• Inclusion of novel size-monodisperse mesoporous silica particles into PVA membranes.
• Inclusion can increase both selectivity and flux during use in dehydration of ethanol.
• Demonstration of a maximum loading in improving selectivity.
• Demonstration of minimised agglomeration of particles in polymer matrix.
• Detailed study of the inclusion in terms of membrane morphology.

Spherical, discreet, size-monodisperse mesoporous silica particles of 1.8–2 μm diameter, with pore diameters of ∼1.8 nm were incorporated into a poly (vinyl alcohol) [PVA] polymer to produce composite pervaporation membranes. The selective membrane layers were cast on polyacrylonitrile [PAN]/non-woven fabric supports. The inclusion of particulate silica had beneficial effects on pervaporation performance for the dehydration of ethanol, improving flux throughout the composition range studied, as well as increasing selectivity in all but the highest silica content samples. The unique pervaporation in mesoporous membranes is discussed in terms of polarity and solubility data.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide