Water stable mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs) were developed to help control global warming by capturing and sequestrating carbon dioxide (CO2) from humid flue gas originated from burning of fossil fuels. MMMs of different compositions were prepared by doping glassy polymer Ultrason® S 6010 (US) with nanocrystals of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF‐302) in varying degrees. A solution‐casting technique was used to fabricate various MMMs to optimize their CO2 capturing performance from both dry and wet gases. The prepared composite membranes indicated enhanced filler‐polymer interfacial adhesion, consistent distribution of nanofiller, and thermally stable matrix configuration. CO2 permeability of the membranes was enhanced as demonstrated by gas sorption and single gas permeation tests carried out under dry and moist circumstances. As compared to neat Ultrason® membrane, CO2 permeability and expected CO2/N2 permselectivity of the mixed membrane doped with 40 g/g ZIF‐302 nanocrystals were significantly enhanced. In contrast to the majority of previously reported membranes, key features of fabricated MMMs include their structural stability under humid conditions coupled with better and unaffected gas separation performance.
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIF-301) were synergistically incorporated into glassy polysulfone (PSF) to prepare mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) to separate CO 2 from post combustion flue gas. The flexible MMMs rendering consistent distribution and improved adhesion of nanofillers with the polymer matrix were hydrothermally stable under wet conditions. Gas sorption analysis along with dry and wet gas permeation experiments showed that both CO 2 permeability and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of MMMs were improved owing to the synergistic effect of nanofillers. The MMM filled with 18 wt % ZIF-301 nanofillers and 6 wt % CNTs showed an optimum separation performance by providing a CO 2 permeability of 19 Barrers with a CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of 48. The CO 2 separation performance of MMMs prepared in this work was found to be better than those of already existing hydrothermally stable MMMs.
Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) comprising polysulfone (PSF) and zeolite 4A (Z4A) were prepared for carbon capture applications. Membranes of varying compositions were fabricated by solution casting technique. Viscous solutions of dissolved ingredients were cast on a clean glass plate followed by evaporation and drying of prepared membrane. Fabricated composite membranes were subjected to morphological, structural, and permeation analyzes.The morphological results showed a uniform dispersal of zeolite nanoparticles with agglomerates formation at higher nanofiller loadings. The structural analysis corroborated the noninteractive behaviour of organic polymer and inorganic zeolite phases. Permeation results suggested that the fabricated membranes were more permeable to CO 2 gas, which can be described by higher diffusivity and structural affinity for CO 2 . Taguchi statistical analysis was employed to optimize carbon capture performance of developed hybrid membranes by carefully controlling the membrane casting parameters such as loading levels of functional nanofiller, sonication time, and drying time of casting solution. The statistical investigation of permeation results suggested the sensitivity of casting parameters on membrane performance in the following manner: zeolite loading > sonication time > drying time. The optimized membrane casting parameters obtained from signal-to-noise ratio analysis performed on Minitab led to synthesis of a composite membrane with both high CO 2 /N 2 selectivity and CO 2 permeability. The chosen technique also assisted in justifying the dependence of permeation results on various membrane casting parameters, associating it with the morphological results. The technique also facilitated the optimization of the membrane characteristics and is recommended for future study based on membrane separation processes.
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