Carbon nanotube (CNT) is a prominent material for gas separation due to its inherent smoothness of walls, allowing rapid transport of gases compared to other inorganic fillers. It also possesses high mechanical strength, enabling membranes to operate at high pressure. Although it has superior properties compared to other inorganic fillers, preparation of CNTs into a polymer matrix remains challenging due to the strong van der Waals forces of CNTs, which lead to agglomeration of CNTs. To utilize the full potential of CNTs, proper dispersion of CNTs must be addressed. In this paper, methods to improve the dispersion of CNTs using functionalization methods were discussed. Fabrication techniques for CNT mixed-matrix membrane (MMM) nanocomposites and their impact on gas separation performance were compared. This paper also reviewed the applications and potential of CNT MMMs in gas separation.
The development of MWCNT mixed matrix membranes (MWCNT-MMMs) has shown good performance for gas separation. Interfacial interactions between the CNTs and the polymer and the dispersion of the MWCNTs in the polymeric matrix affects the overall performance of CNT mixed matrix membranes. Although CNTs properties are superior to other inorganic fillers but due to their chemically inert properties and inability to disperse in typical organic solvents, their applicability in industry is still uncertain. Typically, nanotubes are bound together by strong van der Waals interactions and form tight bundles. Therefore, MWCNTs tend to accumulate to each other in polymer matrix. This has been the biggest challenge in development of MWCNT-MMMs in producing defect free membranes. In this research, PES/Pebax-MWCNTs mixed matrix membraness were fabricated to capture carbon for natural gas. Sorbitol has been utilized in the fabrication of membranes to break the agglomeration of MWCNTs. In this study, the effect of MWCNTs loading and addition of sorbitol on the structure of synthesized membranes was analyzed using FESEM, DSC and FTIR. The incorporation of MWCNTs in the polymer matrix allows more active path for small molecules to flow across the membranes. The agglomeration of MWCNTs is more significant with the increase of fillers loading. Addition of sorbitol improved the morphology of membranes. Smooth surface of membranes with no agglomeration are observed for all MWCNTs loading (2-6 wt%). Glass transition temperature (Tg) was shifted to lower temperature with the addition of both MWCNTs and sorbitol.
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