Zr‐Based Metal‐Organic Framework UiO‐66/Ultem® 1000 Membranes for Effective CO₂/H₂ Separation

Abstract

Mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs) using UiO‐66 nanofillers as dispersing inorganic phase and polyetherimide (PEI) as continuous polymeric matrix were synthesized. Different UiO‐66 loadings of 10, 20, and 30 wt % were applied. The morphology and UiO‐66 dispersion over the prepared MMMs were examined. Gas separation measurements were performed for H2/CO2 gas mixture to evaluate the influence of UiO‐66 on the separation yield of resulting membranes. When compared with pristine PEI membranes, MMMs containing metal‐organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles revealed superior H2 permeability and H2/CO2 separation factor, e.g., maximum permeability values of 14.6 and 5.5 Barrer were observed for H2 and CO2 at a filler loading of 10 wt % and an applied pressure of 4.0 bar.