Polyvinylamine Membranes Containing Graphene-Based Nanofillers for Carbon Capture Applications

Abstract

In the present study, the separation performance of new self-standing polyvinylamine (PVAm) membranes loaded with few-layer graphene (G) and graphene oxide (GO) was evaluated, in view of their use in carbon capture applications. PVAm, provided by BASF as commercial product named LupaminTM, was purified obtaining PVAm films with two degrees of purification: Low Grade (PVAm-LG) and High Grade (PVAm-HG). These two-grade purified PVAm were loaded with 3 wt% of graphene and graphene oxide to improve mechanical stability: indeed, pristine tested materials proved to be brittle when dry, while highly susceptible to swelling in humid conditions. Purification performances were assessed through FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, DSC and TGA analysis, which were carried out to characterize the pristine polymer and its nanocomposites. In addition, the membranes′ fracture surfaces were observed through SEM analysis to evaluate the degree of dispersion. Water sorption and gas permeation tests were performed at 35 °C at different relative humidity (RH), ranging from 50% to 95%. Overall, composite membranes showed improved mechanical stability at high humidity, and higher glass transition temperature (Tg) with respect to neat PVAm. Ideal CO2/N2 selectivity up to 80 was measured, paired with a CO2 permeability of 70 Barrer. The membranes’ increased mechanical stability against swelling, even at high RH, without the need of any crosslinking, represents an interesting result in view of possible further development of new types of facilitated transport composite membranes.

Effect of Mobile Carrier on the Performance of PVAm–Nanocellulose Facilitated Transport Membranes for CO2 Capture

“…The PVAm used in the present work was Lupamin ® 9095, a commercial PVAm kindly provided by the producer (BASF Italia s.p.a, Cesano Maderno Lupamin ® 9095 consists of an aqueous solution of a copolymer made of polyvin and polyvinylformamide at high molecular weight (≈340,000 Da), with a hy degree higher than 90%, which represents the number of amine groups rel formamide groups. Solid content is about 20-22 wt%, which includes the copolym sodium formate salts, which are byproducts of production process [25].…”

“…The result was a suspension of carboxymethylated-nanofibrillated cellulose (cNFC) with nanofibr PVAm is a weak linear cation polyelectrolyte: the amine group's protonation is possible in acidic conditions, and the charge density as well as the polymer structure in solution are a function of the pH [50,51]. Due to its extremely high primary amine content, which can trigger the facilitated transport of CO 2 , it has been widely studied as a matrix for FTMs [22,25,[29][30][31][32][33].…”

“…In recent years, another approach has also been considered that uses nanofillers in order to give the membrane the needed strength and increase permselective efficiency. Graphene-and silica-based nanofillers [25][26][27] as well as carbon nanotubes [28][29][30] and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) [31] were considered for this purpose along with, more recently, nanocellulose in forms of fibers or nanocrystals [19,[32][33][34][35][36][37][38].…”

Poly(vinyl amine) microparticles derived from N-Vinylformamide and their versatile use

“…PVAm presents a high affinity for many substances, especially anionic ones, due to its cationic nature, high hydrogen bonding, and complex formation capacity. Therefore, it is often used in catalysis [3], surface modification [4], metal complexation [5], paper strengthening [6], wastewater treatment [7], CO 2 capture [8], and so on. Biomedical applications of PVAm include its use in gene delivery and transfection [9,10], controlled drug delivery [11], and antimicrobial and antibacterial polymers [12,13].…”

Mitigation of Membrane Fouling Using an Electroactive Polyether Sulfone Membrane

“…However, the methods can alleviate membrane fouling, but it cannot radically solve the problem and consume space and energy. The development of anti-fouling membranes is one of the most promising solutions to this challenging issue [11,12]. Until now, several strategies have been developed to enhance anti-fouling capability of membranes [3,[13][14][15].…”