Preparation and characterization of chitosan-boehmite nanocomposite membranes for pervaporative ethanol dehydration

Abstract

Pervaporative ethanol dehydration was studied using some chitosan-boehmite nanocomposite membranes. Nanocomposite membranes were prepared by incorporation of 1 and 2 Wt. % loading of the boehmite nanoparticles synthesized by the low temperature sol-gel process. The prepared samples were characterized by FTIR, FESEM and XRD analysis. The results showed the filler particles uniform distribution within the chitosan matrix. Pervaporation performance of the prepared pristine and the nanocomposite membranes were evaluated for ethanol dehydration. The 2 Wt. % loaded boehmite nanocomposite membrane exhibited highest ethanol dehydration performance for 20 Wt. % water content feed at 50 °C as 0.513 kg/m2 h and 676 as permeation flux and separation factor revealed ∼50% and 2 times increments, respectively.