Abstract

Hydroxypropyl cellulose/poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (HPC/PVP) mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) filled with
different amounts of H-ZSM-5 zeolite (0, 5, 10, and 15 wt.%) were prepared by solution casting method. The
prepared membranes were crosslinked with glutaraldehyde and used for pervaporation (PV) dehydration
of ethanol at different feed mixtures at 30°C. On increment in zeolite content in the membrane, it is noticed
better performance of the MMMs, due to its hydrophilic nature and molecular sieving effect in addition to
its favorable interaction with hydrophilic HPC and PVP. The structure, chemical constituents and favorable
interactions between polymers, crosslinker, and zeolite in MMMs were investigated by Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy. Thermal stability of the membranes was assessed by differential scanning calorimetry technique.
The morphological properties of these membranes were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Sorption studies
have been performed to evaluate the extent of interaction and degree of swelling of the membranes with pristine
HPC-PVP and H-ZSM-5 zeolite filled blend membranes at different water-ethanol in the feed mixture. The PV
experiments results showed that membrane selectivity to water decreased, whereas flux increased with zeolite
content in the MMMs. The reason for this can be attributed to the combined effects of molecular adhesion between
zeolite and HPC-PVP blend matrix as well as hydrophilicity of the zeolite. The same reason can also be attributed
to the observed higher selectivity of the MMMs compared to pristine HPC-PVP blend membrane.