In-situ preparation of polydimethylsiloxane membrane with long hydrophobic alkyl chain for application in separation of dissolved volatile organics from wastewater
Abstract(#br)Membrane with organophilic nature, such as Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane is required for separation of organic from aqueous effluents. In this report, PDMS membrane is in-situ modified with hydrophobic alkyl chain by direct cross-linking PDMS liquid precursor with an organochlorosilane having a long alkyl chain viz. n -octadecyltrichlorosilane and trichloro( 1H , 1H , 2H , 2H -perflourooctyl)silane in toluene solvent under ambient conditions for enhanced selectivity towards organic than water. Series of membranes were prepared with three different cross-linking densities.