The incorporation of fillers into polymeric membranes, producing mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), is considered a promising way to improve their separation performance. As an alternative method for the dehydration of organics, pervaporation (PV) technology has recently begun to be implemented to assist esterification reactions, in which the water generated is identified as a limitation to further conversion efficiency. In this regard, the present review conveys the evidence from recent literature reports about PV-assisted esterification reactions. Therefore, a particular emphasis will be placed on the enhancements provided by MMMs. Moreover, some key principles regarding the selection of fillers suitable for synergistic effects on water removal are mentioned. In addition, generalities of PV, including the theoretical aspects and its role in separation, are discussed. Finally, an outlook on the future directions based on the latest findings on PV-assisted esterification reactions by means of MMMs is provided, as well as a viewpoint concerning the relationship between the “Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry” and PV technology.

R. Castro-Muñoz acknowledges the European Commission - Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) for his Ph.D. scholarship under the program Erasmus Mundus Doctorate in Membrane Engineering – EUDIME (FPA No 2011-0014, Edition V, http:/eudime.unical.it). This work was partially supported by the Operational Program Prague – Competitiveness (CZ.2.16/3.1.00/24501), the “National Program of Sustainability“ (NPU I LO1613) MSMT-43760/2015), and by financial support from specific university (Prague University) research (IGA 2017, MSMT No 20-SVV/2017). Financial support from the Spanish MINECO and FEDER (MAT2016-77290-R) and the Aragón Government (T05) is also gratefully acknowledged.

Peer reviewed