COMPOSITE MEMBRANE FOR HIGH ETHANOL PERMEATION

Composite membranes composed of ethylene/vinyl acetate (EVA) and hydro xypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) were prepared in an attempt to achieve high ethanol permeation. Swelling and permeation experiments were car ried out to identify an appropriate membrane for high ethanol permeati on and to understand the transport mechanisms of ethanol and beta-estr adiol. With the incorporation of HPMC into the membrane network, the c omposite membrane showed high ethanol swelling and ethanol permeation across it, resulting in significant permeation of beta-estradiol. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.