Chitosan/anionic surfactant complex membranes for the pervaporation separation of methanol/MTBE and characterization of the polymer/surfactant system

For the separation of methanol/MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) mixtures, met hanol selective chitosan composite membranes were prepared and tested for p ervaporation experiments. When anionic surfactants are added into the catio nic chitosan solution, the solution viscosity was drastically decreased due to the collapsed chain conformation. Pervaporation characteristics of surf actant modified chitosan membrane were substantially improved due to the de creased membrane thickness and possible enhanced affinity to methanol. Rheo logical data of the casting solution was measured using viscometer and the surface morphology of the surfactant complexed chitosan membrane was invest igated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.