Abstract

Blend membranes of anionic sodium alginate and cationic gelatin incorporated with H-mordenite zeolite were prepared by
solution casting and solvent evaporation method for the dehydration of isopropanol solvent. The blend membrane containing
30% wt. of zeolite exhibited the highest separation selectivity of 1240 at a substantial flux of 0.64 kg/m2 h for azeotropic feed
composition at ambient temperature (30°C). The mixed matrix membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy to assess their intermolecular
interactions, crystalline nature, thermal stability, and surface morphology, respectively. Extent of zeolite loading and effect
of feed composition on the pervaporation performance of the membranes were evaluated. Experimental results showed that
both flux and selectivity increased simultaneously with increasing zeolite content in the membrane. These observations were
explained on the basis of enhancement of hydrophilicity, selective adsorption and molecular sieving action by the creation of
selective openings in the blend matrix through zeolite incorporation.