PDMS/PVDF composite pervaporation membrane for the separation of dimethyl carbonate from a methanol solution
Abstract(#br)In this paper, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite membranes that were supported using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microfiltration membrane were developed for the pervaporation (PV) of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from a methanol solution. Experimental studies on the solubility and the diffusivity of pure DMC and methanol in the membrane were first measured. Higher DMC uptake indicates that the sorption step is the rate-limiting step in the selective transport through the membrane.