PDMS mixed matrix membranes containing hollow silicalite sphere for ethanol / water separation by pervaporation
Abstract(#br)Separation of ethanol/water mixtures through classical separation methods, like distillation, are very energy consuming. Pervaporation is an alternative membrane separation process with much lower energy demand, but still lacking high performance membranes with sufficient flux-selectivity properties. In this study, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were developed and their pervaporation performance investigated. The fillers consist of hollow spheres (HS) covered with a shell of silicalite-1 crystals.