Organophilic Modification and Application of Nano-Fumed Silica in Pervaporation of Ethanol / Water Mixture

Fumed Silica was modified with hexamethyldisiazane (HMDZ, modifier) and dimethyldiethoxysilane (DMDEOS, co-modifier) by grafting method. The structure of organo-functionnalized nanoparticles was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Functional nanosilica-filled polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) composites membrane were prepared. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations of composites revealed good dispersion of the silica nanoparticles and the pervaporation performance of the filled PDMS membranes is better than that of the unfilled PDMS membranes.