Mechanics and Pervaporation Performance of Ionic Liquid Modified CNT Based SBR Membranes - A Case Study for the Separation of Toluene/Heptane Mixtures

Abstract

SBR/ionic liquid modified CNT Nanocomposites were prepared using different concentration of CNT. Nano scale dispersion of CNT affected the properties of SBR. The results have been compared with the unfilled SBR films. Cure characteristics and mechanical properties such as tensile strength, modulus, abrasion resistance and hardness were measured for different composites. Morphological behaviour and structural characteristics of the composites were investigated by AFM, TEM, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Microstructural development in presence of filler and interfacial interaction between modified CNT and polymer matrix led to enhanced properties. The pervaporation performances of membranes were analysed using a toluene/heptane mixture. Membranes displayed high selectivity towards heptane. The influence of feed composition on pervaporation was also analysed. The 5 phr CNT loaded membrane showed enhanced membrane permeance and selectivity value, an improvement of 18% over the neat polymer. A drop in selectivity and an increase in permeation rate were observed at higher CNT loadings.