Pervaporation of 1,2‐dimethoxyethane from aqueous solutions by crosslinked oligosilylstyrene–poly(dimethylsiloxane) composite membranes

Abstract Crosslinked oligosilylstyrene–poly(dimethylsiloxane) composite membranes were used to separate 1,2‐dimethoxyethane (1,2‐DME) from dilute aqueous solutions through a pervaporation process. The composite membranes were prepared through the casting of solutions of H‐terminated oligosilylstyrene and vinyl‐terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) onto the surfaces of polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes. A crosslinked poly(dimethylsiloxane) gel was generated through the reaction of H‐terminated oligosilylstyrene and vinyl‐terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane), with a platinum complex used as a catalyst. The pervaporation characteristics of the composite membranes were investigated with respect to the feed composition of 1,2‐DME, the feed temperature, the downstream pressure, and the top‐layer thickness of the composite membranes. The composite membranes exhibited preferential selectivity to 1,2‐DME. Depending on the operation conditions, the separation factor and permeation rate of 1,2‐DME were 55–184 and 0.31–3.3 g/m 2 h, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2284–2294, 2004