Removal of 1,2‐dichloroethane from aqueous solutions with novel composite polydimethylsiloxane pervaporation membranes

Abstract Composite pervaporation membranes were prepared by the crosslinking of H‐terminated oligosilylstyrene (oligo‐SiH 3 ) and vinyl‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane (vinyl‐PDMS) on the surface of polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes. The morphology of the composite pervaporation membranes were investigated through changes in the mass ratio of oligo‐SiH 3 to vinyl‐PDMS. The pervaporation of crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane composite membranes was evaluated by the removal of 1,2‐dichloroethane (1,2‐DCE) from dilute aqueous solutions with different downstream pressures, feed temperatures, feed concentrations, and top layer thicknesses. A low feed flow rate, corresponding to a Reynolds number of 97, was maintained during the entire process. The separation factor of 1,2‐DCE was 600–4300, and the permeation rate of 1,2‐DCE was 0.4–15 g/m 2 h; they depended on the operating conditions and the compositions of the membranes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1477–1491, 2005