CHEMICALLY-MODIFIED POLY(4-METHYL-1-PENTENE) MEMBRANE FOR PERVAPORATION SEPARATION OF ACETIC-ACID WATER MIXTURES

The membranes of pure poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) (TPX) and the 4-vinylpy ridine (4-VP) modified TPX membranes, TPX/P4-VP, were prepared for per vaporation. The introduction of high hydrophilic 4-VP monomer into the TPX matrix was done by free radical polymerization to form the TPX/P4 -VP membrane. The separation factor and the permeation rate of TPX/P4- VP membranes are higher than those of the unmodified TPX membranes for pervaporation of aqueous acetic acid solution. FTIR spectra and water permeation behavior were utilized to study the permeation mechanism o f aqueous acetic acid solution through the TPX/P4-VP membranes. A good relationship was obtained between the feed water concentration and wa ter permeation rate by applying the Michaelis-Menten equation.