Abstract:
Traditional membrane technologies, typically reliant on fossil-based polymers and
hazardous solvents, pose significant environmental threats. To address these challenges,
this study introduces an innovative approach: the development of hydrophobic mixed
matrix membranes utilizing waste polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes and deep eutectic
solvents (DES) based on thymol: urea as green additives. The research focuses on
synthesizing two types of membranes: dense and asymmetrical. Each type is evaluated
for its efficiency in terms of flux and selectivity. The asymmetric membranes undergo
optimization processes, involving adjustments in polymer concentration, co-solvent use,
and evaporation time, to enhance pervaporation performance. This optimization aims to
achieve maximum ethanol flux and high separation factor. In contrast, the dense recycled
PVC membranes exhibit comparable results to conventional polymeric membranes in
terms of flux (1.98 kg/m2) and separation factor (16). Significantly, the incorporation of
DES into the membrane matrix results in substantial performance improvements. The
separation factor enhanced by approximately 125%, alongside a 36% increase in ethanol
sorption capacity. Asymmetric membranes particularly demonstrate a higher potential in
flux performance, reaching 5.12 kg/m2.hr, in contrast to dense membranes with a flux of
1.98 kg/m2.hr. These findings highlight the effectiveness of using recycled waste
materials and DES in membrane fabrication. This approach not only enhances
pervaporation performance but also aligns with the goals of green and sustainable
membrane technology, offering a promising solution to environmental concerns in the
field of membrane separation.
