Abstract
Separation of water-acetic acid mixture through a membrane was carried out. Membranes obtained from poly (acrylic acid-co-acrylonitrile) and poly (acrylic acid-co-styrene) were effective for a selective separation of water from aqueous acetic acid solution by means of pervaporation method. Permeation of water and acetic acid through membranes from poly (acrylic acid-co-acrylonitrile) was interpreted by a carrier mechanism, in which carboxylic acid moiety in the membrane played a role as a fixed carrier for both permeates. Water was permeated through poly (acrylic acid-co-styrene) membranes by TYPE II mechanism, in other words, an all or nothing mechansim, while acetic acid was permeated without having any specific interaction with the membrane.
