Abstract A novel SA‐f‐MWCNTs/PAN composite membrane, sodium alginate‐ functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes/polyacrylonitrile, was prepared to enhance the esterification conversion rate with a pervaporation membrane reactor. The SA‐f‐MWCNTs/PAN membrane was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope. The hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, and separation performance of the composite membrane have been significantly improved. The flux of the composite membrane was 4374 g·m−2·h−1, and the separation factor was 1249 (the water content in the feed was 10 wt, at 75°C). The composite membrane the trade‐off effect between flux and separation factor. The acid conversion rate of SA‐f‐MWCNTs/PAN membrane was up to 98.3 in 5 h at 75°C, which was a great increase of 18.3 compared with the equilibrium conversion rate of the batch reactor. In addition, SA‐f‐MWCNTs/PAN membrane exhibited good swelling resistance and reusability. The conversion rate of acetic acid was stable above 95.0 after 8 repetitive tests.
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