TITLE:
Formulation of Mixed-Matrix Membrane (PSF/Zeolite) for CO2/N2 Separation: Screening of Polymer Concentration
AUTHORS:
Chen Chee Lek, Sunarti Abd Rahman
KEYWORDS:
Mixed-Matrix Membranes, CO2/N2 Separation, Polymer
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering,
Vol.3 No.5,
May
13,
2015
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.