Pervaporation separation of thiophene-heptane mixtures with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane for desulfurization

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2010 Jan;160(2):486-97. doi: 10.1007/s12010-008-8368-z. Epub 2008 Oct 2.

Abstract

Cross-linked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-polyetherimide (PEI) composite membranes were prepared, in which asymmetric microporous PEI membrane prepared with phase inversion method was acted as the microporous supporting layer in the flat-plate composite membrane. Membrane characterization was conducted by Fourier transform infrared and scanning electronic microscopy analysis. The composite membranes were employed in pervaporation separation of n-heptane-thiophene mixtures. Effect of amount of PDMS, cross-linking temperature, amount of cross-linking agent, and cross-linking time on the separation efficiency of n-heptane-thiophene mixtures was investigated experimentally. Experiment results demonstrated that 80-100 degrees degrees C of cross-linking temperature was more preferable for practical application, as the amount of cross-linking agent was up to 20 wt.%, and 25 wt.% of PDMS amount was more optimal as far as flux and sulfur enrichment factor were concerned. In addition, the swelling degree of and stableness of composite membrane during long-time operation were studied, which should be significant for practical application.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry*
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / chemistry*
  • Heptanes / chemistry*
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Surface Properties
  • Thiophenes / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Heptanes
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Thiophenes
  • n-heptane
  • baysilon