Pervaporation of phenol wastewater with PEBA–PU blend membrane

The compatibility of polyether block amide (PEBA) and polyurethane (PU) was investigated with the calculation of their Flory–Huggins interaction parameter. The results showed that PEBA and PU are compatible at different content of PEBA. Then, PEBA–PU blend membranes were prepared. Scanning electron microscopic characterization showed that the blend membranes were dense and applicable for pervaporation. The swelling degree of the blend membrane increased with the phenol concentration, which suggested that the blend membrane has preferential permeation for phenol. Pervaporation experiments showed that the separation factor of blend membranes had been enhanced. When the blend membrane with 50 wt% PEBA content is used to separate 0.1 wt% phenol aqueous solutions at 308.15 K, the separation factor (phenol to water) is 9.7 and the permeation flux is 84.1 g m^–2 h^–1.