Synthesis and Characterization of ETS-10/Chitosan Nanocomposite Membranes for Pervaporation

Abstract

Chitosan (CS) and microporous titanosilicate ETS-10/CS mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were prepared. The pervaporation performance was tested on the water-ethanol mixtures in the range 85–96 wt.% ethanol. The permeate flux increased from 0.45 to 0.55 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ at 50°C for the ETS-10/CS MMM with respect to the pure CS membranes. Characterization by SEM and TEM, XRD, DSC, and TGA allowed inferring an intimate contact between the dispersed ETS-10 and the continuous chitosan phase. The 5 wt.% loading of titanosilicate scarcely decreased the hydrophilic character of the mixed matrix membrane but increased the molecular sieving effect on the transport and separation properties, thus affecting the membrane behavior on pervaporation.

Keywords:

• mixed matrix membranes
• pervaporation dehydration
• water-ethanol separation
• chitosan
• microporous titanosilicate
• ETS-10