Abstract
The evaluation of transport characteristics of membranes is crucial for understanding and controlling their separation properties and function in the dehydration process. In this study, the hydrophilic ethyl cellulose (EC) is modified by blending it with moderately hydrophobic acrylonitrile–butadienestyrene (ABS) copolymer to obtain desired flux and selectivity. The blend thin films (ABC) were prepared by solvent casting method and the non-porous (dense) nature of the ABC films were revealed from the FESEM analysis. The FTIR analysis confirms the blend formation. The surface wettability of the films was determined by water contact angle studies. The contact angle values were maximum for pure ABS films and minimum for pure EC films. As evident from TGA, blends prepared were thermally stable upto 300℃. UV–Visible spectroscopic data confirms the absorbance of UV radiation and transmittance of visible light through the pristine and blend films. The transport behavior of the ABC thin films was studied using three hydrocarbons viz. benzene, toluene and xylene. The effect of penetrant size and temperature on permeation were analysed in detail.
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