Synthesis and characterization of new highly selective polyaryloxyphosphazene-polysiloxane crosslinked copolymer films. Application to the extraction of organic compounds from water by pervaporation

A series of polyaryloxyphosphazene/polydimethylsiloxane (PABMP/PDMS) crosslinked copolymer films containing various PDMS contents were prepared by platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation reaction. The physical morphology of these membranes was characterized by IR, DSC and transmission electron microscopy. Their transport properties were studied by pervaporation of saturated ethyl acetate aqueous solutions at 30 degrees C. Each copolymer film led to preferential permeation of ethyl acetate. Moreover, selectivity and flux proved to be higher than a PABMP membrane, increasing with the PDMS content up to a 70 wt% value. At the maximum point, an aqueous solution of 7 wt% ethyl acetate was concentrated to 97 wt% with a normalized permeation flux of 25 kg/m(2).h.