Novel Poly (Methyl Cellulose-G-Acrylamide)/Sodium Alginate Based Zeolite 4A Filled Mixed Matrix Membranes for The Separation of Water-Isopropyl Alcohol Mixtures by Pervaporation

The Filled blend matrix membranes of (Methyl Cellulose-g-Acryl amide)/Sodium Alginate {(MC-g-AAm)/NaAlg} prepared via solution casting method by in situ incorporation with 4A zeolite particles in 5, 10 and 15 mass % with respect to the weight of (MC-g-AAm)/NaAlg membrane. Several analytical tools such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed for characterization of as prepared bled 4A zeolite incorporated (MC-g-AAm)/NaAlg copolymers. Glutaraldehyde was used to cross-link these membranes, which were then assessed for pervaporation (PV) dehydration of isopropanol at 30 degrees C. Infinite separation factors and moderate fluxes were achieved with the filled matrix membranes over the studied feed composition range of10-50 mass % water in the feed at 300C with the complete removal (100 mass %) of water on the permeate line with a slight compromise in flux. The PV separation performance of the (MC-g-AAm)/NaAlg was remarkably improved with high selectivity by the incorporation of 4A zeolite into membrane formulation, which enhances the hydrophilicity of the membrane due to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding between zeolite and amide, carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups of the membrane.