Robab Shaghaghian - Department of Chemical Engineering, Shahreza Branch, Islamic Azad University, P.O. Box ۳۱۱-۸۶۱۴۵, Shahreza, Iran
Elham Ameri - Department of Chemical Engineering, Shahreza Branch, Islamic Azad University, P.O. Box ۳۱۱-۸۶۱۴۵, Shahreza, Iran

Cross-linked sulfonated polyetherketone (SPEK) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) /silica nanocomposit blend membranes were prepared by solution casting method and used in pervaporation (PV) to improve Isopropyl acetat production. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM).The SEM micrographs established the nano-scale distribution of silica nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. The optimum flux was found to be 6508.79 which was achieved with 5 wt.% silica in the hybrid membrane over a period of 300 min. Catalyst loading at a weight fraction of 15 wt.% relative to acetic acid, an initial alcohol/acid molar ratio of 4:1, and a temperature of 70 ºC.

SPEK, PVA, Silica, Pervaporation