In this study a new type of layered hybrid membrane was fabricated. This new membrane consisted of a thin organically bridged silica separation layer deposited onto the surface of a flexible polymeric membrane, NTR-7450 (Nitto Denko, japan), and was comprised of a sullonated polyethersulfone top layer and a porous polysulfone support. Using 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTESE) as a precursor, a continuous and defect-free BTESE separation layer was deposited onto the surface of a polymeric nanofiltration membrane via a facile, reproducible and scalable sol-gel spin-coating and low-temperature curing process. First, the optimal preparation conditions were established, which included the curing temperature and the spin-coating cycles. The membranes were then used for the vapor permeation dehydration of isopropanol-water solutions, and showed a stable water flux 01 2,3 kg/(m(2) h) and an improved separation factor of about 2500, which was an increase of approximately 5-fold compared with that of a polymeric nanofiltration membrane. ln addition, single-gas permeance through this membrane was also discussed and a modest H-2/N-2 selectivity of 26 was obtained, which approximated the performance of ceramic-supported BTESE-derived silica membranes. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.