Abstract

Blend membranes of sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose/hydroxy propyl cellulose have been prepared by
incorporating different amounts (5, 10 and 15 wt. %) of halloysite nanoclay (HNC) by solution casting method
and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. Membranes were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,
thermo gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy,
to confirm the chemical interactions and homogeneity of the blend membrane. The membranes prepared are used
for pervaporation separation of water and isopropanol (IPA) mixtures at 30°C. In the studied feed composition
range of 10-40 mass % of water, 15 mass % HNC loaded blend membranes gave the highest selectivity ranging
between 2803.50 and 108.79, whereas the flux values increased from 0.364 to 0.442 kg/(m2h). The literature
reviews show that, this is the first study of HNC filled sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/HPC blend membranes
used in dehydration of IPA, which yield higher selectivity to water at higher loading of the clay as a filler.