Abstract
Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) made from selective inorganic fillers and polymers represent a rapidly expanding class of next-generation membranes for gas separation. In this study, we describe the synthesis and application of novel ethylene-diamine-based periodic mesoporous organo-silica (PMO). TEM, XRD, and nitrogen adsorption isotherms characterization techniques showed that the MMMs featured ordered mesostructures, high surface areas and narrow pore size distributions. The gas adsorption properties of these materials were investigated for CO2, CH4 and N2 gases at different temperatures (0oC and 25oC). PMO nanoparticles exhibited excellent CO2 uptake and selectivity. The novel PMO nanoparticles were homogeneously incorporated into polydimethylsiloxane to fabricate a MMM thin layer on a porous polyacrylonitrile support. The gas transport properties of the MMM were characterized by single gas permeation measurement of CH4, N2 and CO2, and the 5% PMO NPs doping showed a 60% increase of the CO2/N2 selectivity when compared to the pristine membrane.