Influence of ionic liquid content on properties of dense polymer membranes

• Published in: European polymer journal Vol. 45; no. 3; pp. 813 - 819
• Main Authors: Kohoutová, M., Sikora, A., Hovorka, Š., Randová, A., Schauer, J., Tišma, M., Setničková, K., Petričkovič, R., Guernik, S., Greenspoon, N., Izák, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biofuel; Clostridium acetobutylicum; Dense polymer membranes; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange resins and membranes; Fermentation; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Ionic liquids; Pervaporation; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; Ionic liquids; Dense polymer membranes; Biofuel; Fermentation; Pervaporation; Water; Dimethylsiloxane polymer; Imidazole derivatives; Transport properties; Separation capacity; Iminium compounds; Experimental study; Ionic liquid; Concentration effect; Butanol; Membrane
• ISSN: 0014-3057; 1873-1945
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2008.11.043

Pervaporation was used for removal of butan-1-ol from its 5 wt.% of aqueous solution, at which the concentration of Clostridium acetobutylicum starts to decrease. The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane containing 0, 10, 20 or 30 wt.% of benzyl-3-butylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BBIM][BF 4]) ionic liquid was used. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements showed that PDMS-[BBIM][BF 4] membranes (though optically homogeneous) contained PDMS and [BBIM][BF 4] phases. Pervaporation selectivity increased and total flux through membranes raised moderately with an increased content of [BBIM][BF 4] in PDMS-[BBIM][BF 4] membranes. Hence, immobilization of a proper ionic liquid in a membrane results in the creation of pervaporation membranes, effective in the removal of alcohol from fermentation broths.