Gas permeability of ENR/PVC membrane with the addition of inorganic fillers

Abstract

Abstract. Epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) was blended with polyvinyl chloride to form a flexible and porous membrane. SiO 2 and MgO were added into the membrane for pore formation and the effects of the addition was investigated by means of FTIR, TGA, SEM, EDX and gas permeability towards CO 2 and N 2 gases. FTIR result showed the presence of Si−O−Si asymmetric stretching at the absorption peak of 467 cm -1 for ENR/PVC/SiO 2 membrane and MgO signature peak at 3700 cm -1 for ENR/PVC/MgO membrane. Thermal analysis showed that the thermal stability of ENR/PVC membrane increased with the addition of fillers. Morphological studies prove that subsequently, the pores in the membranes increased showing that some of the added fillers were drawn towards the water leaving empty spaces and tracks. The remaining fillers are homogenously distributed on the surface of the membranes. CO 2 and N 2 gas permeability increased with increasing filler content and the permeability of ENR/PVC/SiO 2 membranes towards CO 2 and N 2 gasses was higher than ENR/PVC/MgO membranes.

Effects of silica composition on gas permeability of ENR/PVC membrane

“…The permeability of both gases in the membrane increases with increasing silica loading. In [14] also found similar results that ENR/PVC/SiO 2 membranes are more permeable compared to ENR/PVC/MgO with increasing filler loading. The addition of silica particles disrupts the polymer chain, thus increase the free volume between the polymer chains.…”

Permeability of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases through SiO2 and MgO incorporated ENR/PVC membranes

“…It was anticipated that by adding the fillers, pores would form inside the dense ENR/PVC membrane and improve the permeability of gases. 13 Since the study is focused on the permeability of CO 2 , MgO, which is basic in nature, was expected to assist the permeation of CO 2 gas due to its high affinity toward the gas through physisorption of the gas onto the surface of the fillers.…”