Abstract
Neat and compatibilized high density polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate blend membranes were fabricated via thermally induced phase separation method. ATR-FTIR results confirmed that existence of PE-g-MA as compatibilizer keeps EVA molecules in the bulk of the membrane. Phase behavior studies showed that addition of compatibilizer improves the compatibility of the blend; therefore any cloud point was observed. Leafy structure obtained by SEM images also confirmed that a solid-liquid phase separation was occurred for all ranges of blending ratios. Pure water flux (PWF) and porosity analyses showed that compatibilized HDPE/EVA blend membrane with EVA content of 10 wt.%, exhibits the best results in which PWP increases more than 2.8 folds in comparison with both neat blend and pure membranes.