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Comparison of micro‐ and nano‐sized CuBTC particles on the CO 2 / CH 4 separation performance of PEBA mixed matrix membranes
Author(s) -
Erfani Amir,
Asghari Morteza
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.6456
Subject(s) - barrer , membrane , permeation , chemical engineering , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , gas separation , materials science , nano , chemistry , biochemistry , engineering
BACKGROUND Copper‐benzene‐1, 3, 5‐tricarboxylic acid (CuBTC) is a pre‐eminent member of the metal–organic framework material family with excellent CO 2 adsorption capacity and size‐sieving characteristics for CO 2 /methane (CH 4 ) separation. Although a few reports have addressed the use of micro‐sized CuBTC particles in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), the application of nano‐sized particles has not yet been explored. RESULTS Micro‐sized and nano‐sized CuBTC particles were synthesized by Cu(NO 3 ) 2 ·3H 2 O and Cu(OH) 2 precursors, respectively. Mixed matrix membranes composed of 5–35 wt% CuBTC in poly (amide‐6‐ b ‐ethylene oxide) (PEBA) were fabricated to investigate the CO 2 /CH 4 separation performance of the samples. Synthesized particles and membranes were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and field emission scanning electron microscopy techniques. Membrane separation performance was determined at different pressures of pure CO 2 , CH 4 and N 2 . At 35 wt% loading of nano‐sized CuBTC, CO 2 permeability and CO 2 /CH 4 selectivity were enhanced to 178.9 Barrer and 34.6; 80.3% and 13.8% higher than those of pristine polymer, respectively. The corresponding results for micro‐sized CuBTC were 138.9 Barrer and 33.9. A mixed gas permeation test carried out on a mixture of CO 2 ‐CH 4 (10:90 mol%) at 12 bar showed the best separation performance at 25 wt% loading of nano‐sized CuBTC with CO 2 permeability of 92.6 Barrer and CO 2 /CH 4 selectivity of 23.1. CONCLUSION Filler size had a great impact on the MMM separation performance. As a result of the nano‐sizing of CuBTC particles, higher CO 2 permeability and CO 2 /CH 4 selectivity could be obtained because of the uniform dispersion of the filler in the matrix and higher interface area/volume. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry