Filled mixed matrix membranes (MMM) of sodium alginate (NaAlg) were prepared by solution casting method mid were filled with 4A zeolite particles in varying compositions from 0 to 10 wt % with respect to weight of NaAlg polymer. Membranes were cross-linked with glutaraldehyde mid tested for pervaporation (PV) dehydration of acetic acid and ethanol m the temperature range from 30 to 70 degrees C. Flux and selectivity data increased simultaneously for both feed mixtures at higher loadings of 4A zeolite, due to its high hydrophilic nature as well as molecular sieving effect in addition to its favorable interaction with hydrophilic NaAlg. At increasing temperature, flux increased, but selectivity decreased. Arrhenius activation parameters for permeation process were dependent upon the extent of filler content. Pervaporation-aided catalytic esterification of acetic acid with ethanol was attempted at 70 degrees C, resulting in considerable increase of ethyl acetate conversion at reduced reaction) time due to continuous removal of water by the membrane. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 113: 157-168, 2009