Synthesis and characterization of novel nanocomposite Chitosan membranes for Ethanol dehydration

Polyacrylonitril (PAN)-supported chitosan (CS) nanocomposite membranes were prepared by cross-linking the CS with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTEOS) via sol-gel method. Pervaporative performances of the CS-SiO2/PAN membrane for dehydration of aqueous alcohol solutions were investigated. From SEM cross-sectional images of the membrane, the spongy pores and the finger-like pores were found in cortex and intermediate layer. The PAN microporous substrate and the top layer were about 100 and 7.4 mu m thick, respectively. The separation factor and permeation flux of the synthesized CS/PAN and CS-SiO2/PAN membranes indicated that introducing 5% of nanosilica to skin layer of the composite membrane improved its pervaporative properties. At 30 degrees C, a separation factor of 20.03 and 34.25 were achieved for CS/PAN and CS-SiO2/PAN membranes, respectively.