Mixed Matrix Membranes Of Sodium Alginate And Hydroxy Propyl Cellulose Loaded With Phosphotungstic Heteropolyacid For The Pervaporation Separation Of Water Isopropanol Mixtures At 300 C

Abstract Mixed matrix membranes MMMs of Sodium alginate Hydroxyl Propyl Cellulose SAHPC blends loaded with Phosphotungstic acid PWA and cross linked with gluteraldehyde have been prepared by the solution casting technique. Pervaporation PV experiments have been performed at 300C to separate water isopropanol feed mixtures containing 10-15 wt of water. The membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR and X-ray diffraction studyXRD to confirm cross linking and assess the intermolecular interactions. Thermal stability and crystallinity were determined from thermo gravimetric analysis TGA and differential scanning calorimetry DSC studies. The morphology of membranes was characterized by SEM studies which indicates good compatibility of these membranes. Sorption studies were carried out to evaluate the extent of interaction and degree of swelling of the membranes in pure liquids as well as mixtures of water and isopropanol. The pervaporation performance was evaluated by varying experimental parameters such as feed composition different polymer compositions and found to be potential membranes for separation of water- isopropanol mixtures. The results reveal that the MMMs of SA-HPC-3 shows flux is of the order of 0.3460 kg m-2h-1 and selectivity of the order of 1657.From this it is concluded that the present blend membrane is a promising candidate for dehydration of aqueous isopropanol. Flux of the blend membranes decrease with increasing concentrations of PWA however a significant improvement in PV performance was observed for PWA- loaded mixed matrix membranes MMMs compared to the pristine SAHPC blend membrane.