CO2-Philic [EMIM][Tf2N] Modified Silica in Mixed Matrix Membrane for High Performance CO2/CH4 Separation. (3rd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shafie, Siti Nur Alwani; Liew, Wen Xuan; Md Nordin, Nik Abdul Hadi; Bilad, Muhammad Roil; Sazali, Norazlianie; Putra, Zulfan Adi; Wirzal, Mohd Dzul Hakim
• Other Names: Ghalei Behnam Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Advances in polymer technology. Volume 2019(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-01-03
• Subjects: Plastics -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1155/2019/2924961
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0730-6679

Abstract

Abstract : 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][Tf2 N] 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.