Structure and Transport Properties of Cellulose Acetate/Montmorillonite Composites

Composites containing up to 5 wt % montmorillonite (MMT) nanoparticles are created based on natural materials, cellulose acetate and MMT, and film membranes are prepared. The characteristic features of the membrane morphology are studied by scanning electron microscopy. The transport properties of the membranes are studied for the process of separation of a methanol–methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) mixture. The degree of equilibrium sorption and diffusion coefficients of methanol and MTBE in the membranes are determined. The pervaporation of a methanol–MTBE mixture is studied in a wide range of feed compositions including the azeotropic point. The best separation factor combined with a high flux is found for a membrane containing 3% MMT. The study of the deformation behavior of the membranes under uniaxial tension shows that they have good mechanical properties, and the elastic modulus increases with the increase in the MMT content while the strength slightly decreases.