Pervaporation Study of Ethylene Glycol Dehydration Through Synthesized (PVA-4A)/Polypropylene Mixed Matrix Composite Membranes

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/zeolite 4A mixed matrix composite membranes supported on polypropylene micro-filtration membranes were prepared by solution casting method and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde to investigate their pervaporation (PV) separation properties of water-ethylene glycol mixtures. Scanning electron microscopy images showed homogeneous distribution of zeolite nanoparticles within the polymer matrix without any visible macroscopic voids at the zeolite-polymer interface. The PV experiments were accomplished to investigate the effects of water concentration (10-40 wt%) and temperature (60-80 degrees C) on separation performance of the membranes. It was found out that 5 wt% loading of the 4A nanoparticles into the PVA matrix is optimal to obtain the best separation performance. The experimental results revealed that loading of zeolite 4A enhanced the membrane performance [both permeation flux (5%) and separation factor (32%) at 5 wt% zeolite loading]. (C) 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers