Polyarylethersulfone with cardo/poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) blend membrane for pervaporation of methanol/methyl tert-butyl ether mixtures

• Published in: Journal of membrane science 2013-12, Vol.448, p.55-61
• Main Authors: Han, Guang Lu, Gong, Yi, Zhang, Qiu Gen, Liu, Qing Lin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; artificial membranes; Blends; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; contact angle; Ethers; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange resins and membranes; Flux; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; General and physical chemistry; mechanical properties; Membranes; Methanol; Methyl alcohol; Methyl tert-butyl ether; Permeation; Pervaporation; Poly (vinyl pyrrolidone); Polyarylethersulfone with cardo; Polymer industry, paints, wood; pyrrolidones; scanning electron microscopy; Separation; Technology of polymers; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2013.07.060

Polyarylethersulfone with cardo (PES-C) and poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) blend membranes with various PVP contents were prepared for pervaporation separation of methanol (MeOH)/methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) mixtures. The membranes were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle metering and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The influence of PVP content on the swelling behavior and mechanical properties was studied. The effect of PVP content on the pervaporation performance was investigated and discussed in terms of the solution-diffusion mechanism. With incorporation of PVP, the permeation flux increased and the separation factor increased as well in the PVP content range of 0–16wt%. Of all the as-fabricated blend membranes, the one containing 84wt% PES-C and 16wt% PVP showed the highest separation factor of 889 and a permeation flux of 3.44kgμmm−2h−1 for a 15wt% MeOH feed mixture at 40°C. •PES-C/PVP blend membranes show high mechanical strength.•Microstructure of the dried and swollen membranes was characterized by PALS.•Performance for pervaporation of MeOH/MTBE was governed by diffusion.•The membrane containing 16wt% PVP showed the highest separation factor of 889.•Hydrophilicity and flux of the membrane increased with increasing PVP content.