Sol–gel derived poly(vinyl alcohol)/maleic acid/silica hybrid membrane for desalination by pervaporation

► Novel PVA/MA/silica hybrid membranes has been synthesised via a sol–gel route and a solution casting method. ► Swelling of the hybrid membranes was significantly suppressed with improved thermal properties. ► Pervaporation separation of NaCl solution achieved a high water flux of 6.93 kg/m 2 h and salt rejection > 99.5% at a 6 Torr vacuum and 22 ̊C. ► Pervaporation properties of hybrid PVA/MA/silica membranes were directly related to the diffusion of water through the membranes. Highly dispersed homogeneous hybrid polymer–inorganic membranes based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), maleic acid (MA) and inorganic silica were synthesized via a sol–gel method. Tetraethoxy-silane (TEOS) was used as the silica precursor with MA as an additional crosslinking agent. A range of techniques such as FTIR, SEM, TGA, XRD and DSC were used to characterise the nanostructure and properties of hybrid membranes. Results revealed silica nanoparticles (99.5% was achieved at a 6 Torr vacuum and 22 °C.