Pebax/MWCNTs-NH2 mixed matrix membranes for enhanced CO2/N2 separation
Corresponding Author
Chunfeng Song
Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
Correspondence to: Chunfeng Song, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, China.
E-mail: chunfeng.song@tju.edu.cn
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Chunfeng Song
Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
Correspondence to: Chunfeng Song, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, China.
E-mail: chunfeng.song@tju.edu.cn
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) played a promising role in gas separation. However, the trade-off between permeability and selectivity is still a challenge for its commercial application. Rational design of the inorganic filler, compatibility of filler with the polymer, and dispersion of filler into the polymer have a significant influence on the morphology and separation performance of a membrane. In this study, in order to produce defect-free flat sheet MMMs, two different solvents (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and ethanol/water) were investigated to maximize the dispersion of filler (multi-walled carbon nanotubes, MWCNTs) in Pebax. The prepared membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. CO2/N2 permeation tests were undertaken to investigate the solvent effect on membrane permeation properties. The result showed that membranes fabricated with higher molar volume solvent were more efficient for CO2 separation. Considering the trade-off between different parameters (molar volume of solvent, fraction-free volume, crystallinity of membranes), the permeability and CO2/N2 selectivity of Pebax/MWCNTs MMMs was optimized to 405 Barrer and 51, respectively. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
References
- 1Song CF, Liu QL, Ji N, Deng S, Zhao J, Li Y et al., Alternative pathways for efficient CO2 capture by hybrid processes—a review. Renew Sust Energ Rev 82: 215–231 (2018).
- 2D'Alessandro DM, Smit B and Long JR, Carbon dioxide capture: prospects for new materials. Angew Chem Int Edit 49(35): 6058–6082 (2010).
- 3Brown S, Martynov S, Mahgerefteh H, Chen S and Zhang Y, Modelling the non-equilibrium two-phase flow during depressurisation of CO2 pipelines. Int J Greenh Gas Con 30: 9–18 (2014).
- 4Yildirim Y and Hughes R, An experimental study of CO2 separation using a silica based composite membrane. Process Saf Environ 81(B4): 257–261 (2003).
- 5Baker RW, Future directions of membrane gas separation technology. Ind Eng Chem Res 41(6): 1393–1411 (2002).
- 6Habibiannejad SA, Aroujalian A and Raisi A, Pebax-1657 mixed matrix membrane containing surface modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes for gas separation. RSC Adv 6(83): 79563–79577 (2016).
- 7Zhao D, Ren J, Wang Y, Qiu Y, Li H, Hua K et al., High CO2 separation performance of Pebax (R)/CNTs/GTA mixed matrix membranes. J Membrane Sci 521: 104–113 (2017).
- 8Zhao D, Ren J, Li H, Li X and Deng M, Gas separation properties of poly(amide-6-b-ethylene oxide)/amino modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes mixed matrix membranes. J Membrane Sci 467: 41–47 (2014).
- 9Dai Y, Ruan X, Yan Z, Yang K, Yu M, Li H et al., Imidazole functionalized graphene oxide/PEBAX mixed matrix membranes for efficient CO2 capture. Sep Purif Technol 166: 171–180 (2016).
- 10Robeson LM, Polymer membranes for gas separation. Curr Opin Solid State Mater Sci 4(6): 549–552 (1999).
- 11Chung TS, Jiang LY, Li Y and Kulprathipanja S, Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) comprising organic polymers with dispersed inorganic fillers for gas separation. Prog Polym Sci 32(4): 483–507 (2007).
- 12Wind JD, Paul DR and Koros WJ, Natural gas permeation in polyimide membranes. J Membrane Sci 228(2): 227–236 (2004).
- 13Yave W, Car A and Peinemann KV, Nanostructured membrane material designed for carbon dioxide separation. J Membrane Sci 350(1–2): 124–129 (2010).
- 14Xiang L, Pan YC, Zeng GF, Jiang JL, Chen J and Wang CQ, Preparation of poly(ether-block-amide)/attapulgite mixed matrix membranes for CO2/N2 separation. J Membrane Sci 500: 66–75 (2016).
- 15Ahmad AL, Jawad ZA, Low SC and Zein SHS, A cellulose acetate/multi-walled carbon nanotube mixed matrix membrane for CO2/N2 separation. J Membrane Sci 451: 55–66 (2014).
- 16Zhao YA, Jung BT, Ansaloni L and Ho WSW, Multiwalled carbon nanotube mixed matrix membranes containing amines for high pressure CO2/H2 separation. J Membrane Sci 459: 233–243 (2014).
- 17Yu B, Cong H, Li Z, Tang J and Zhao XS, Pebax-1657 nanocomposite membranes incorporated with nanoparticles/colloids/carbon nanotubes for CO2/N2 and CO2/H2 separation. J Appl Polym Sci 130(4): 2867–2876 (2013).
- 18Zhao D, Ren JZ, Li H, Hua KS and Deng MC, Poly(amide-6-b-ethylene oxide)/SAPO-34 mixed matrix membrane for CO2 separation. J Energy Chem 23(2): 227–234 (2014).
- 19Mashhadikhan S, Moghadassi A, Amooghin AE and Sanaeepur H, Interlocking a synthesized polymer and bifunctional filler containing the same polymer's monomer for conformable hybrid membrane systems. J Mater Chem A 8(7): 3942–3955 (2020).
- 20Ahn JY, Chung WJ, Pinnau I and Guiver MD, Poly sulfone/silica nanoparticle mixed-matrix membranes for gas separation. J Membrane Sci 314(1–2): 123–133 (2008).
- 21Anjum MW, de Clippel F, Didden J, Khan AL, Couck S, Baron GV et al., Polyimide mixed matrix membranes for CO2 separations using carbon-silica nanocomposite fillers. J Membrane Sci 495: 121–129 (2015).
- 22Shahid S, Nijmeijer K, Nehache S, Vankelecom I, Deratani A and Quemener D, MOF-mixed matrix membranes: precise dispersion of MOF particles with better compatibility via a particle fusion approach for enhanced gas separation properties. J Membrane Sci 492: 21–31 (2015).
- 23Seoane B, Coronas J, Gascon I, Etxeberria Benavides M, Karvan O, Caro J et al., Metal-organic framework based mixed matrix membranes: a solution for highly efficient CO2 capture? Chem Soc Rev 44(8): 2421–2454 (2015).
- 24Rezakazemi M, Ebadi Amooghin A, Montazer-Rahmati MM, Ismail AF and Matsuura T, State-of-the-art membrane based CO2 separation using mixed matrix membranes (MMMs): an overview on current status and future directions. Prog Polym Sci 39(5): 817–861 (2014).
- 25Ebadi Amooghin A, Mashhadikhan S, Sanaeepur H, Moghadassi A, Matsuura T and Ramakrishna S, Substantial breakthroughs on function-led design of advanced materials used in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs): a new horizon for efficient CO2 separation. Progress in Materials Science 102: 222–295 (2019).
- 26Chuah CY, Goh K, Yang Y, Gong H, Li W, Karahan HE et al., harnessing filler materials for enhancing biogas separation membranes. Chem Rev 118(18): 8655–8769 (2018).
- 27Aroon MA, Ismail AF, Montazer-Rahmati MM and Matsuura T, Effect of chitosan as a functionalization agent on the performance and separation properties of polyimide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes mixed matrix flat sheet membranes. J Membrane Sci 364(1–2): 309–317 (2010).
- 28Aroon MA, Ismail AF and Matsuura T, Beta-cyclodextrin functionalized MWCNT: a potential nano-membrane material for mixed matrix gas separation membranes development. Sep Purif Technol 115: 39–50 (2013).
- 29Zhang HY, Guo RL, Hou JP, Wei Z and Li XQ, Mixed-matrix membranes containing carbon nanotubes composite with hydrogel for efficient CO2 separation. Acs Appl Mater Inter 8(42): 29044–29051 (2016).
- 30Liu Y, Peng DD, He GW, Wang SF, Li YF, Wu H et al., Enhanced CO2 permeability of membranes by incorporating polyzwitterion@CNT composite particles into polyimide matrix. Acs Appl Mater Inter 6(15): 13051–13060 (2014).
- 31Wang YH, Li L, Zhang XR, Li JP, Liu CC, Li NW et al., Polyvinylamine/graphene oxide/PANI@CNTs mixed matrix composite membranes with enhanced CO2/N2 separation performance. J Membrane Sci 589 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2019.117246
- 32Ansaloni L, Zhao YN, Jung BT, Ramasubramanian K, Baschetti MG and Ho WSW, Facilitated transport membranes containing amino-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes for high-pressure CO2 separations. J Membrane Sci 490: 18–28 (2015).
- 33Isanejad M, Azizi N and Mohammadi T, Pebax membrane for CO2/CH4 separation: effects of various solvents on morphology and performance. J Appl Polym Sci 134(9):44531 (2017).
- 34Bradley JD, Heilman DK and G'Sell P, Do psychological factors “predict” response to tidal lavage (TL) and sham lavage (SL) in knee osteoarthritis (KOA)? Arthritis Rheum 43(9): S337-S337 (2000).
- 35Teow YH, Ahmad AL, Lim JK and Ooi BS, Preparation and characterization of PVDF/TiO2 mixed matrix membrane via in situ colloidal precipitation method. Desalination 295: 61–69 (2012).
- 36Chenar MP, Rajabi H, Pakizeh M, Sadeghi M and Bolverdi A, Effect of solvent type on the morphology and gas permeation properties of polysulfone-silica nanocomposite membranes. J Polym Res 20(8) (2013).
- 37Nagar H, Vadthya P, Prasad NS and Sridhar S, Air separation by facilitated transport of oxygen through a Pebax membrane incorporated with a cobalt complex. Rsc Adv 5(93): 76190–76201 (2015).
- 38Alavi SA, Kargari A, Sanaeepur H and Karimi M, Preparation and characterization of PDMS/zeolite 4A/PAN mixed matrix thin film composite membrane for CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 separations. Res Chem Intermediat 43(5): 2959–2984 (2017).
- 39Jiang LY, Chung TS and Kulprathipanja S, An investigation to revitalize the separation performance of hollow fibers with a thin mixed matrix composite skin for gas separation. J Membrane Sci 276(1–2): 113–125 (2006).
- 40Li Y, Chung TS, Huang Z and Kulprathipanja S, Dual-layer polyethersulfone (PES)/BTDA-TDI/MDI co-polyimide (P84) hollow fiber membranes with a submicron PES-zeolite beta mixed matrix dense-selective layer for gas separation. J Membrane Sci 277(1–2): 28–37 (2006).
- 41Li Y, Chung TS, Cao C and Kulprathipanja S, The effects of polymer chain rigidification, zeolite pore size and pore blockage on polyethersulfone (PES)-zeolite A mixed matrix membranes. J Membrane Sci 260(1–2): 45–55 (2005).
- 42Li Y, Guan HM, Chung TS and Kulprathipanja S, Effects of novel silane modification of zeolite surface on polymer chain rigidification and partial pore blockage in polyethersulfone (PES)-zeolite A mixed matrix membranes. J Membrane Sci 275(1–2): 17–28 (2006).
- 43Shao L, Chung TS, Wensley G, Goh SH and Pramoda KP, Casting solvent effects on morphologies, gas transport properties of a novel 6FDA/PMDA-TMMDA copolyimide membrane and its derived carbon membranes. J Membrane Sci 244(1-2): 77–87 (2004).
- 44Kim JH and Lee YM, Gas permeation properties of poly(amide-6-b-ethylene oxide)-silica hybrid membranes. J Membrane Sci 193(2): 209–225 (2001).
- 45Feng SC, Ren JZ, Li ZS, Li H, Hua KS, Li XX et al., Poly(amide-12-b-ethylene oxide)/glycerol triacetate blend membranes for CO2 separation. Int J Greenh Gas Con 19: 41–48 (2013).
- 46Luis P, Van Aubel D and Van der Bruggen B, Technical viability and exergy analysis of membrane crystallization: closing the loop of CO2 sequestration. Int J Greenh Gas Con 12: 450–459 (2013).
- 47Sanders DE, Smith ZP, Guo RL, Robeson LM, McGrath JE, Paul DR et al., Energy-efficient polymeric gas separation membranes for a sustainable future: a review. Polymer 54(18): 4729–4761 (2013).
- 48Azizi N, Mohanunadi T and Behbahani RM, Comparison of permeability performance of PEBAX-1074/TiO2, PEBAX-1074/SiO2 and PEBAX-1074/Al2O3 nanocomposite membranes for CO2/CH4 separation. Chem Eng Res Des 117: 177–189 (2017).
- 49Bondar VI, Freeman BD and Pinnau I, Gas transport properties of poly(ether-b-amide) segmented block copolymers. J Polym Sci Pol Phys 38(15): 2051–2062 (2000).