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

Composite pervaporation membranes were prepared by the crosslinking of H-terminated oligosilylstyrene (oligo-SiH3) 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-SiH3 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. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.