Incorporation of carbon nanofibers into a Matrimid polymer matrix: Effects on the gas permeability and selectivity properties

Abstract

Composite membranes containing carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and Matrimid were prepared by a solution-casting method. Prepared Matrimid-CNF composite membranes were characterized with X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and mechanical testing techniques. The mechanical properties of the composite membranes increased over that of the pristine polymeric membranes. To develop a broad fundamental understanding of the connection between the composite architecture and gas-transport properties, both the gas-permeability and gas-separation characteristics were evaluated. The gas-transport properties of the Matrimid-CNF composite membrane was measured with a single gas-permeation setup (He, H 2 , N 2 , CH 4 and CO 2 ) at ambient temperature with the variable-volume method. The incorporation of CNFs (0.5-10 wt %) into the Matrimid matrix resulted in approximately a 22% reduction in the gas permeation of various gases, (H 2 , He, CO 2 , N 2 , and CH 4 ). Moreover, an improvement of 1.5 times in the gas selectivity was observed for CO 2 /CH 4 , H 2 /CH 4 , He/CH 4 , and H 2 /N 2 compared to pristine polymeric membrane. Hence, such polymer-CNF composite membranes could be suitable for gas-separation applications with high purity requirements.

Nanocomposites based on epoxidized poly(styrene‐co‐butadiene) rubber and graphene nanoplatelets

“…Other strategies to prepare stable and well‐defined nanomaterials based on starlike block copolymers as nanoreactors . In addition, the improved mechanical properties were shown for carbon nanofibers into a Matrimid polymer matrix …”

“…[52][53][54][55][56][57][58] In addition, the improved mechanical properties were shown for carbon nanofibers into a Matrimid polymer matrix. 59…”

Compact Carbon-Based Membrane Reactors for the Intensified Anaerobic Decolorization of Dye Effluents

“…The representative bands of the polymeric membrane (Matrimid 5218) were obtained at 1714 and 1360 cm −1 , indicating the stretching of C=O and C-N groups [30]. The aromatic C=C bending vibration, C-N-C transverse stretching and presence of C-H aromatic monosubstituted benzene were found at 1501, 1089 and 718 cm −1 , respectively [31]. In the case of CSCM, compared to the initial polymeric membrane, no apparent bands were observed after its carbonization under a nitrogen atmosphere.…”

Preparation and application of zinc oxide/poly(m‐phenylene isophthalamide) hybrid ultrafiltration membranes

“…The addition of nanoparticles into the polymer may alter the mechanical properties of polymers. 42,43 The addition of hydrophilic nanoparticles to the casting solution promotes physical crosslinking between polymer molecules, resulting in difficulty in macromolecular segment movement and improved mechanical properties of the membrane. 44 When the content of ZnO in the system increases to a certain extent (especially at higher levels), they may undergo phase separation.…”