ABSTRACT:A series of novel solvent-soluble polyimides based on the diamine of 3,3-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl] phthalide (BAPP) were prepared. The effects of the dianhydride structures on the pervaporation performance of aqueous alcohol mixtures through these polyimide membranes were studied. The BAPP-based polyimide membranes exhibited water permselectivity during all process runs. The permeation rate increased with the addition of bulky groups to the polyimide backbone. The effects of the feed solution concentration, feed solution temperature, and carbon atom number of the feed alcohol on the pervaporation performance were also investigated systematically. Optimum pervaporation results, a separation factor of 22 and a permeation rate of 270 g/m 2 h, were obtained for a 90 wt % feed aqueous ethanol solution through a 3,3Ј,4,4Ј-biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride polyimide membrane at 25°C.