Transport of small molecules through polyphenylene oxide membranes modified by fullerene

Homogeneous membranes based on fullerene-polyphenylene oxide compositions containing up to 2 wt% fullerene C-60 were prepared. The effect of fullerene addition on PPO transport properties was studied in gas separation and pervaporation processes. Permeability coefficients of H-2, O-2, N-2, CH4, and CO2 were measured; a correlation between gas transport properties and membrane free volume was established. Pervaporation properties were studied for the system with ethyl acetate synthesis reaction: quaternary system ethanol-acetic acid-water-ethyl acetate and some constituent binary and ternary mixtures. Pervaporation in binary systems, ethanol-water and ethyl acetate-water was considered with the use of the data on sorption capacities and interaction parameters. In pervaporation of a quaternary reacting mixture, the permeate containing essentially ethyl acetate was obtained. Results show that membranes with fullerene additives exhibit improved transport properties.