Development and investigation of mixed-matrix PVA-fullerenol membranes for acetic acid dehydration by pervaporation

This study focuses on the development of a green pervaporation (PV) process for dehydrating a wide range of commercially significant mixtures such as concentrated (and corrosive) acetic acid blends using mixed-matrix membranes based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cross-linked by low-hydroxylated fullerenol (C-60(OH)(12)). The effect of C-60(OH)(12) and various conditions of physical cross-linking on the structure and internal morphology of composite membranes was investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, and the stability and transport properties of the developed membranes were investigated for acetic acid dehydration at a wide range of feed water contents (5-30 wt.%) and temperatures (25-60 degrees C). The supported mixed-matrix membranes exhibited high permeances and water selectivities, as well as good stability toward feed mixtures, with the best transport properties obtained for a C-60(OH)(12)(5 wt.%)-PVA supported composite membrane thermally treated at 140 degrees C for 420 min. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.