Poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) interpenetrating polymer network: Synthesis and pervaporation properties

Novel interpenetrating polymer network membranes were made from poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) blends of different compositions. The two polymer components were independently crosslinked chemically with glutaraldehyde and photochemically with 4,4'-diazostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid disodium salt. The membrane performances were studied in pervaporation of tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water and THF/methanol mixtures. It was found that the membranes were excellent in THF dehydration, but much less efficient for the separation of THF/methanol mixtures. The pervaporation results were consistent with the membrane swelling data. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.