Synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of PES/EDA‐functionalized TiO₂ mixed matrix membranes for CO₂/CH₄ separation

Abstract

Poor adhesion between hydrophobic polymers and hydrophilic inorganic fillers is a challenge that encumbers a high separation performance of mixed matrix membrane (MMM). In this study, Titanium(IV) oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were functionalized using ethylenediamine (EDA) before embedment in poly(ether sulfone) (PES) polymer matrix. MMMs were synthesized through dry phase inversion technique. Membranes morphology and nanoparticles dispersion was drastically enhanced posterior amine modification indicating an improved adhesion between the polymer and filler particles. Membranes thermal stability was likewise improved as higher degradation temperatures were perceived for PES/EDA–TiO2 MMMs. Gas separation evaluation for pure carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) gases revealed a remarkably enhanced separation performance upon amine‐grafting of TiO2 as EDA‐TiO2 MMMs exhibited a higher separation performance as compared to MMMs with pristine TiO2. The highest ideal separation factor achieved was 41.52 with CO2 permeability of 10.11 Barrer at an optimum loading of 5% wt of EDA‐TiO2 which is threefold higher as compared to neat PES membrane and approximately twofold higher than MMMs with pristine TiO2, respectively, at the same filler loading. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45346.

Progress of polyethersulfone composites and their applications in biomedical engineering

“…Likewise, some molecules such as ethylenediamine (EDA) or L-methionine can also be added to enhance the interfacial miscibility between TiO 2 nanoparticles and PES via the H-bonding effect of -NH 2 or -COOH. 33 In Azadeh et al' research, they synthesized a Polyaniline (PANi) shell on the surface of TiO 2 nanoparticles to improve the dispersion of fillers in the PES substrate through p-p conjugation interaction, 34 (donor atom) and -SO 3 À (acceptor atom) was smaller than that of -SO providing stronger interactions for combination (Fig. 1b).…”

Mixed Matrix Membranes for Natural Gas Upgrading: Current Status and Opportunities

“…Finally, the remaining polymer solution is poured into the “primed” solution under continuous stirring. This strategy is applicable to various fillers, such as zeolite, TiO 2 , mesoporous silica (MSS), and MOFs. ,, Koros et al pioneered to investigate the influence of a membrane preparation protocol on final membrane microstructures by utilizing a zeolite 4A-poly­(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) system . They found that MMMs prepared from direct polymer–filler mixing showed a “sieve-in-a-cage” morphology owing to the poor contact between the filler and the polymer on the interface.…”

Recent Developments and Applications of Ionic Liquids in Gas Separation Membranes

“…MMMs are heterogeneous membranes with the combination of inorganic materials, reinforced in the continuous polymeric matrix. Researchers reported extensive work on MMMs [71][72][73][74][75][76]. Powell et al reported [77] that the addition of nanoparticles mainly can contribute three effects to the membrane permeability, i.e., they can act as molecular sieves to change the permeability, they can alter the membrane matrix structure to enhance the permeability, and they can also work as a wall to decrease the permeability.…”