Separation of 1-butanol by pervaporation using a novel tri-layer PDMS composite membrane
Abstract(#br)A novel tri-layer composite membrane consisting of the active layer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS, Sylgard ® 184) and dual support layers of high porosity polyethylene (PE) and high mechanical stiffness perforated metal was investigated for the separation of 1-butanol from aqueous solution by means of pervaporation. The experimental data show that total flux and separation factor are both increased by placing a layer of hydrophobic PE between the PDMS and the metal support. The enhancement is especially obvious at low temperatures.