Abstract
An experimental protocol of preparation of homogeneous and nanocomposite chitosan (Ch) based membranes supported on polyamide-6 (PA6) films was developed and described in detail. Montmorillonite (MMT) and Cloisite 30B (C30B) nanoclays were used as nanofillers to improve mechanical properties of chitosan films. The surface, mechanical, and transport properties of PA6 supported Ch, Ch/MMT and Ch/C30B membranes were studied and compared with a pristine, non-supported chitosan membrane. Implementation of advanced analytical techniques e.g., SEM reveal the clays nanoparticles are well dispersed in the chitosan matrix. According to AFM images, composite chitosan/nanoclay membranes possess higher roughness compared with unfilled ones. On the other hand, an incorporation of clay particles insignificantly changed the mechanical and thermal properties of the membranes. It was also found that all membranes are hydrophilic and water is preferentially removed from EtOH/H2O and iPrOH/H2O mixtures by pervaporation. Supporting of chitosan and chitosan/nanoclay thin films onto PA6 porous substrate enhanced permeate flux and pervaporation separation index, in comparison to the pristine Ch membrane. Concerning separation factor (β), the highest value equal to 4500 has been found for a chitosan composite membrane containing Cloisite 30B contacting 85/15 wt % iPrOH/H2O mixture. The mentioned membrane was characterized by the normalized flux of 0.5 μm·kg·m−2·h−1. Based on the established data, it was possible to conclude that chitosan membranes are meaningful material in dehydration of azeotropic mixtures. Nevertheless, to boost up the membrane efficiency, the further modification process is required.
Highlights
Membrane separation techniques become very important and widely applied methods as an alternative to conventional separation processes, like extraction, distillation, and adsorption
Based on the membrane thickness given by the authors (d = 40 μm [34]) we have found normalized flux equal to 5.7 μm·kg·m−2 ·h being ca. one order of magnitude higher than this we noticed for PA6/Ch/Cloisite 30B (C30B) membrane
Chitosan composite membranes supported on polyamide-6 were prepared and evaluated in the pervaporation separation of alcohol/water mixtures
Summary
Membrane separation techniques become very important and widely applied methods as an alternative to conventional separation processes, like extraction, distillation, and adsorption. Their main advantage is the fact that they are environmentally friendly, highly efficient and simultaneously characterized by low energy consumption [1]. Membrane separation techniques possess a wide spectrum of application in different areas e.g., food and beverage processing (separation, recovery of byproducts, purification) [2,3], hydrometallurgy (control of the pollution, metal ions recovery) [4,5], pulp and paper industry (recovery of chemicals, replacing evaporation process) [6] or chemical process. What is even more important is that biopolymers are highly available and obtained from renewable sources, becoming a good alternative to synthetic polymers derived from petroleum oil
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
