In this study, a new diacid monomer containing amide, imide, and sulfone functional groups was successfully used to synthesize a new poly(ether-amide) for membrane-based gas separation applications. The synthesized poly(ether-amide) was soluble in organic solvents, has high thermal stability (up to 460 C under nitrogen atmosphere, for 10% weight loss), and high glass transition temperature (T g ¼ 274 C). This poly(ether-amide) was combined with different amounts of surface-modified zinc oxide nanoparticles to provide organic-inorganic nanocomposites. The optically transparent and flexible membranes of these hybrid nanocomposites were prepared. The obtained materials were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Transmission electron microscopy of the nanocomposite film with 15 wt% zinc oxide confirms that the nanoparticles are well dispersed in the polymer matrix. Thermal gravimetric analysis data indicated that the hybrid materials had better thermal behavior with increasing surface-modified zinc oxide nanoparticles nanoparticle content. Downloaded fromThe poly(ether-amide)/surface-modified zinc oxide nanoparticles nanocomposite film mechanical properties improved with increasing surface-modified zinc oxide nanoparticles content. The permeability and selectivity of the poly(ether-amide)/ zinc oxide membranes as a function of the surface-modified zinc oxide nanoparticles weight percentage were studied, and the results indicated that the CO 2 and CH 4 permeability increased with increasing zinc oxide content. In general, the membranes prepared from these polymers showed very good permeability and permselectivity for a pair of gases.

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