This paper focuses on the effects of the PSt content of polystyrene (PSt)-poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) interpenetrateing network (IPN) polymer membranes, on the pervaporation (PV) characteristics during the removal of benzene from an aqueous solution of dilute benzene. When an aqueous solution of 0.05wt% benzene was permeated through the PSt-PDMS IPN membranes, they showed high benzene/water selectivity. Both the permeability and the benzene/water selectivity of the membranes were enhanced with increasing PSt content in the PSt-PDMS IPN membrane. The physicochemical mechanism of permeation and separation through the PSt-PDMS IPN membranes during PV is also discussed. The best normalized permeation rate, separation factor for benzene selectivity, and PV separation index of the PSt-PDMS IPN membrane were 1.27 × 10<sup>-6</sup> kgm (m<sup>2</sup>hr)<sup>-1</sup>, 3293, and 41821, respectively. These PV characteristics are discussed from the viewpoint of the chemical and physical structure of the PSt-PDMS IPN membranes.
KeywordsInterpenetrating Network PolymerPolystyrenePoly (Dimethylsiloxane)PervaporationRemoval of Benzene
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