CO2-Philic [EMIM][Tf2N] Modified Silica in Mixed Matrix Membrane for High Performance CO2/CH4 Separation

Separation of carbon dioxide (CO2) from methane (CH4) using polymeric membranes is limited by trade-off between permeability and selectivity as depicted in Robeson curve. To overcome this challenge, this study develops membranes by incorporating silica particles (Si) modified with [EMIM][Tf2N] ionic...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Siti Nur Alwani Shafie, Wen Xuan Liew, Nik Abdul Hadi Md Nordin, Muhammad Roil Bilad, Norazlianie Sazali, Zulfan Adi Putra, Mohd Dzul Hakim Wirzal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-01-01
Series:Advances in Polymer Technology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/2924961
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Summary:Separation of carbon dioxide (CO2) from methane (CH4) using polymeric membranes is limited by trade-off between permeability and selectivity as depicted in Robeson curve. To overcome this challenge, this study develops membranes by incorporating silica particles (Si) modified with [EMIM][Tf2N] ionic liquid (IL) at different IL:Si ratio to achieve desirable membrane properties and gas separation performance. Results show that the IL:Si particle has been successfully prepared, indicated by the presence of fluorine and nitrogen elements, as observed via Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS). Incorporation of the modified particles into membrane has given prominent effects on morphology and polymer chain flexibility. The mixed matrix membrane (MMM) cross-section morphology turns rougher in the presence of IL:Si during fracture due to higher loadings of silica particles and IL. Furthermore, the MMM becomes more flexible with IL presence due to IL-induced plasticization, independent of IL:Si ratio. The MMM with low IL content possesses CO2 permeance of 34.60 ± 0.26 GPU with CO2/CH4 selectivity of 85.10, which is far superior to a pure polycarbonate (PC) and PC-Sil membranes at 2 bar, which surpasses the Robeson Upper Bound. This higher CO2 selectivity is due to the presences of CO2-philic IL within the MMM system.
ISSN:0730-6679
1098-2329