Cellulose composite membranes for nanofiltration of aprotic solvents

Cellulose composite membranes have been fabricated by casting a cellulose solution in N-methylmorpholine oxide on a nonwoven polyester support. The membranes have been tested for nanofiltration of aprotic solvents. The solvent permeability has changed from 0.11 ± 0.02 to 2.5 ± 0.4 kg/(m2 h bar) in the following order: DMSO > NMP > DMFA > THF > acetone, which can be attributed to a decrease in viscosity of the fluids. The rejection of the anionic dyes Orange II (MW 350) and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (MW 626) has been found to range within 15–85% and 42–94%, respectively, on the solvent nature. Sorption experiments have revealed a noticeable difference between certain solvents in interaction with the membrane material: a lower degree of cellulose swelling in THF (37%) and a higher degree in DMSO (230%). In addition, it has been found that the rejection of solutes by the composite membranes correlates with the degree of cellulose swelling. A rejection of ≥90% has been achieved for Remazol Brilliant Blue R, which has the larger molecule, at a cellulose swelling ratio of 100% or higher. Thus, it has been concluded that polymer swelling leads to narrowing the porous structure of the cellulose layer of the composite membrane and, hence, improvement in separation parameters.