Preparation and pervaporation performance of poly(3-alkylthiophene) membrane

The separation of aqueous alcohol mixtures was carried out using a series o f poly(3-alkylthiophene) membranes. The poly(3-alkylthiophene) polymers wer e prepared by oxidative polymerization in the presence of anhydrous FeCl3 i n dry chloroform. The effect of the alkyl group structure of the poly(3-alk ylthiophene) membrane on the thermal properties and the pervaporation perfo rmances were investigated. The solubility of ethanol in the poly(3-alkylthi ophene) membrane is higher than that of water, however, the diffusivity of water through the membrane is higher than that of ethanol. In addition, the effects of the feed composition and the degree of swelling on the pervapor ation performances of the poly(3-alkylthiophene) membranes were also studie d. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.