Hydrophobization of PET track membranes with trichloroctylsilane for use in the separation of water-oil mixtures

Abstract

The article investigates the optimal conditions for the modification of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) track-etched membranes with trichloroctylsilane. The article presents results of changes in the pore diameters and the contact angle depending on the concentration of trichloroctylsilane and the soaking time.  It has been determined that when the membrane is treated with trichloroctylsilane with a concentration of 15 mmol / L for 24 hours, the contact angle reaches the highest value (100⁰).

Changes in the structure of the obtained samples were also characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and gas-permeability test. Filtration test of water-organic and water-oil mixtures showed high fluxes for chloroform and o-xylene (up to 91,96 ml/c*m²), for oil maximum flux is 5,81ml/c*m², while water did not penetrate through the modified membrane.