A study on the preparation and performance of polydimethylsiloxane‐coated polyetherimide membranes in pervaporation

Abstract Separation of acetic acid/water mixtures by pervaporation was attempted by silicone rubbercoated polyetherimide membranes. In particular, the effect of the pore size of the polyetherimide membrane and the condition of silicone rubber coating on the performance of the composite membrane was investigated. It was found that the composite membrane could become either water selective or acetic acid selective, depending on the pore size of the support membrane and the condition of the silicone rubber coating. Thus, the overall performance of the composite membrane can be governed, either by the top coated layer or by the bottom support layer.