Abstract
Novel mixed matrix dense and supported membranes based on biopolymer sodium alginate (SA) modified by fullerenol were developed. Two kinds of SA–fullerenol membranes were investigated: untreated and cross-linked by immersing the dry membranes in 1.25 wt % calcium chloride (CaCl2) in water for 10 min. The structural and physicochemical characteristics features of the SA–fullerenol composite were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic methods, scanning electron (SEM) and atomic force (AFM) microscopies, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and swelling experiments. Transport properties were evaluated in pervaporation dehydration of isopropanol in a wide concentration range. It was found that the developed supported cross-linked SA-5/PANCaCl2 membrane (modified by 5 wt % fullerenol) possessed the best transport properties (the highest permeation fluxes 0.64–2.9 kg/(m2 h) and separation factors 26–73,326) for the pervaporation separation of the water–isopropanol mixture in the wide concentration range (12–90 wt % water) at 22 °C and is suitable for the promising application in industry.
Highlights
The development of sustainable processes has drawn increasing attention worldwide.Membrane processes characterized by environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness with low energy consumption, compact equipment, and mild operating conditions are contemporary and advanced separation technologies and can contribute to sustainable processes
The effect of fullerenol introduction into the sodium alginate (SA) matrix on the membrane transport properties was studied in the pervaporation dehydration of isopropanol
Two types of membranes were developed: dense and supported. These mixed matrix membranes were characterized by different methods of analysis
Summary
The development of sustainable processes has drawn increasing attention worldwide. Membrane processes characterized by environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness with low energy consumption, compact equipment, and mild operating conditions are contemporary and advanced separation technologies and can contribute to sustainable processes. One of the most promising and actively developing membrane technologies applicable for the separation of low molecular weight substances is pervaporation. This technique is an alternative to traditional separation methods since it allows for the separation of azeotropic and isomer mixtures, closely boiling substances, and thermally sensitive compounds by selecting a specific membrane and without using additional chemical reagents, which is complicated by conventional processes (for example, distillation or extraction) and energy-intensive. The most common model system for membrane investigation in Polymers 2020, 12, 864; doi:10.3390/polym12040864 www.mdpi.com/journal/polymers
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