PERVAPORATION OF AQUEOUS ALCOHOL SOLUTION THROUGH A POLYCARBONATE (DMF METAL SALT) COMPLEX MEMBRANE PREPARED VIA A WET-PHASE INVERSION METHOD

A polycarbonate (PC)/(DMF/metal salt) complex membrane was utilized in the pervaporation of alcohol/water mixtures. The effects of the prese nce of metal salt in the casting solution, the polycarbonate concentra tion, and the kinds of coagulation media on the formation of membranes were studied. In addition, the effects of feed composition, size of t he alcohol, and the degree of swelling on the pervaporation performanc es were investigated. Compared with the membrane without additive, the PC/(DMF/metal salt) complex membrane shows an improvement in the perv aporation separation index (PSI). (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.