Formulation of Mixed-Matrix Membrane (PSF/Zeolite) for CO₂/N₂ Separation: Screening of Polymer Concentration

Chen Chee Lek, Sunarti Abd Rahman^*

Faculty of Chemical & Natural Resources Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, Kuantan, Malaysia.

DOI: 10.4236/msce.2015.35008                

Abstract

This research investigates the permeability of CO₂ and N₂ as well as selectivity of CO₂ over N₂ of polysulfone (PSF) mixed matrix membranes filled with zeolite 4Å particles. The membranes were prepared by solution-casting method and utilized to determine the permeation rates of N₂ and CO₂. It was characterized by FTIR and the gas separation performance was analysed by Design of Expert (DOE) method. FTIR result revealed the intensity of peak for sulfone S=O vibration at 1322 cm^-1; it was related to O=S=O bound of polysulfone in the sample. The single concentration variable has low outcome, however the mixture concentration interaction was effectively to lead better selectivity of CO₂ over N₂. In terms of interaction between mixture concentrations, interaction between PSF and N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) has considerable effect on the permeability of CO₂ with the highest F value of 0.46 membrane. NMP exhibited a high degree of polarity and hydrogen bonding which led to effect of selective skin and permeation rate. The model regression equations were developed as the potential use for screening the permeability of CO₂ and N₂ based on the deviation effect of polymer concentration.

Keywords

Mixed-Matrix Membranes, CO₂/N₂ Separation, Polymer

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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