Organic/organic mixture separation by using novel ECTFE polymeric pervaporation membranes

The affinity and the resistance of the membranes with respect to different organic solvents (i.e. ethanol, methanol, methyl tert-butyl ether, ethyl tert-butyl ether and cyclohexane) were evaluated by means of swelling tests. All the membranes showed excellent solvent resistance (after 72 h) and high affinity to polar solvents, in particular to ethanol, whereas a low affinity to non polar solvents as cyclohexane was observed.

ECTFE polymeric membranes were prepared via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) technique using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as latent solvent and glycerol triacetate, triethyl citrate and adipic acid as plasticizers in order to improve polymer processability. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, mechanical and contact angle tests for better evaluate their morphological and surface properties.