Fabrication and characterization of micro-patterned PDMS composite membranes for enhanced ethanol recovery
Abstract(#br)Bio-ethanol recovery via pervaporation process has drawn growing attention in the past few decades, however, its large-scale industry application remains limited due to the relatively low separation efficiency, especially in flux. In view of this, surface patterned nonporous PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) composite membranes with enhanced ethanol recovery efficiency were fabricated in this work. Line and space pattern was first printed on two-layer PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride) substrate using phase separation micromolding followed by modified immersion precipitation.