A graft copolymer of poly(vinyl chloride)-graft-poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (PVC-g-POEM) was synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and fumed silica (SiO 2 ) nanoparticles were modified by grafting POEM via a three-step synthetic approach. The resultant graft copolymer and modified SiO 2 nanoparticles were solution blended to prepare PVC-g-POEM/SiO 2 -POEM nanocomposite membranes. Uniform distribution of SiO 2 -POEM nanoparticles in the membranes and microphase-separated morphology were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed increased randomness in the amorphous phase of PVC-g-POEM and continuous decrease in the interchain d-spacing with increased SiO 2 -POEM content, indicating a more closely packed nanocomposite membrane structure. The mechanical properties of PVC-g-POEM/SiO 2 -POEM membranes were superior to those of PVC-g-POEM, resulting from strong interfacial interactions in the membranes due to the segregation and entanglement of the POEM chains. In addition, the permeation performances of the PVC-g-POEM/SiO 2 -POEM nanocomposite membranes were somewhat better than those of PVC-g-POEM, which showed excellent CO 2 /N 2 and CO 2 /H 2 separation capabilities. For example, the CO 2 permeability and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of PVC-g-POEM/SiO 2 -POEM (2%) at 35 o C were 200 Barrer and 43, respectively. Thus, we successfully prepared membranes that deliver high permeation properties, as well as good mechanical properties.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.