The modification of Silicotungstic acid (STA) was done by Melamine and Mixed matrix membranes from the Melamine modified Silico tungstic acid (M-STA) particles were prepared for the pervaporation dehydration of Water -Isopropanol (IPA) mixture. The characterization of the membranes were done by FTIR, SEM, EDS AFM XRD, and contact angle measurements. The M-STA loaded composite membranes showed improved pervaporation performance in comparison to the virgin membrane. The 8 wt% M-STA loaded (M8-MSTA) membrane gave an optimum pervaporation performance having flux = 0.36 kg/m2h, separation factor 485.6 for 20 wt% water -isopropanol feed composition at 60 0C was observed.
Blended membranes of hydrophilic polymers poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm) were prepared and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. The characterization of membranes were done by using FTIR, XRD, DSC, SEM and swelling study. MB1.5 membrane was the best one in all since it exhibited higher separation index. By using blend membrane (MB1.5), the flux through a 65-mm film increased from 0.01 to 0.47 kg/m2h at an acetonitrile/water feed ratio between 20/80 and 5/95 w/w at 30°C while separation factor increased from the 5055 to 100.84 attributed to the higher hydrophilicity of blend membranes. On comparison of pervaporation data with water-acetonitrile vapor-liquid equilibrium data it was observed that the membrane acted as third phase to effectively break the azeotropes.