Chemically modified poly(4-methyl-l-pentene) membrane for pervaporation separation of acetic acid-water mixtures

Abstract

The membranes of pure poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) (TPX) and the 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) modified TPX membranes, TPX/P4-VP, were prepared for pervaporation. The introduction of high hydrophilic 4-VP monomer into the TPX matrix was done by free radical polymerization to form the TPX/P4-VP membrane. The separation factor and the permeation rate of TPX/P4-VP membranes are higher than those of the unmodified TPX membranes for pervaporation of aqueous acetic acid solution. FTIR spectra and water permeation behavior were utilized to study the permeation mechanism of aqueous acetic acid solution through the TPX/P4-VP membranes. A good relationship was obtained between the feed water concentration and water permeation rate by applying the Michaelis–Menten equation. © 1995, The Society of Polymer Science, Japan. All rights reserved.