Covalent-functionalized-CNTs incorporated poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite membranes for pervaporation separation of water-isopropanol mixtures

Poly(styrene sulfonic acid) grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PSSA-g-CNTs) are incorporated into PVA matrix to improve the pervaporation performance of pristine PVA membranes crosslinked with glutaraldehyde(GA). FTIR-ATR and FESEM analysis are used to investigate the chemical and structural characteristics of both modified CNTs and the membranes as well as swelling tests. Then, the separation abilities of the MMMs of PVA and polymerized-CNTs are examined in pervaporation dehydration of IPA aqueous feed mixtures compared to neat PVA one. The observed results indicate that radical polymerization on the surface of tubular fillers could effectively vanquish the Vander Waals forces between CNTs’ walls in a way that not only well distribution of nanotubes reaches, but also there is a good compatibility and interactions between sulfonic groups attached on CNTs surface and hydroxyl bonds in PVA to prepare a hydrophilic MMMs for water removal.

Keywords:

Carbon nanotubes , Pervaporation , Separation factor , Permeability , Isopropanol , Water