Comparison between the pervaporation and vapor permeation performances of polycarbonate membranes

The pervaporation and vapor permeation performance of symmetrical and asymmetrical polycarbonate membranes, prepared via a dry-phase inversion and wet-phase inversion methods, respectively, were studied by measuring the permeation rate and separation factor. It was found that the polymer concentration effect on the pervaporation performance for the symmetrical polycarbonate membrane was lower than that for the asymmetrical polycarbonate membrane. Compared with pervaporation, vapor permeation has a significantly increased separation factor with a decreased permeation rate for the symmetrical polycarbonate membrane. Water molecules preferentially dissolve into the symmetrical polycarbonate membrane and diffuse easily through the membrane.