STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION AND GAS PERMEATION PROPERTIES OF POLYETHERIMIDE (PEI)/ZEOLITIC IMIDAZOLATE (ZIF-11) MIXED MATRIX MEMBRANES

Abstract

In this study, the preparation of polyetherimide (PEI-Ultem1000)/ZIF-11 mixed matrix membranes was studied in various ZIF-11 nanoparticles loadings (0, 10, 15, 20, and 30 wt.%). The newly synthesized ZIF-11 nanoparticles with an average particle size of ~280 nm were integrated in PEI membranes as novel mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The effect of ZIF-11 loading was scrutinised for H₂, CO₂, and CH₄ gas separation performance at 35 °C and 4 bar. The incorporation of ZIF-11 nanoparticles improved the gas permeation properties of the MMMs with an increase in ZIF-11 loading. As the ZIF-11 loading increased up to 20 wt.%, the permeability of H₂ and CO₂ increased to four times higher than that of the pure polymer. Moderate increase of CH₄ permeability was also recorded. At higher loadings above 20 wt.%, the permeability decreased for all gases and the CO₂/CH₄, and H₂/CH₄ selectivities increased consistent with the ZIF-11 loading.

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