Polystyrene-4-sulfonic acid co maleic acid sodium salt (PSSAMA_Na) capped silver nanoparticle (Ag_Np) embedded sodium alginate (Na-Alg) nanocomposite membranes have been developed to improve the pervaporation (PV) dehydration of bioethanol. The effect of PSSAMA_Na capped Ag_Nps on the micro-morphology, physicochemical properties and separation performance of the derived membranes was analyzed as a function of temperature at the azeotropic composition of the bioethanol-water mixture. WAXD analysis shows a decrease in crystalline domains with the increase in PSSAMA_Na capped Ag_Nps content and confirms the presence of Ag_Nps. DSC analysis demonstrated that the hydrophilic nature enhances as the PSSAMA_Na capped Ag_Nps content increases in the membrane matrix. Further, both total permeation flux and separation selectivity were increased with an increase in PSSAMA_Na capped Ag_Nps content. The results revealed that the membrane with 3 mass% of PSSAMA_Na capped Ag_Nps exhibited the highest permeation flux (13.40 × 10-2 kg m-2 h-1) and separation selectivity (11 406) at 30 °C which indicate its better PV performance. The total permeation flux and permeation flux of water values were close to each other, which confirms that the membranes can be efficiently used to remove the water from azeotropic aqueous bioethanol.
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