Molecular-level mixed matrix membranes comprising Pebax® and POSS for hydrogen purification via preferential CO2 removal

Yi Li, Tai Shung Chung*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

120 Scopus citations

Abstract

The molecular-level mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) comprising Pebax ® and POSS have been developed by tuning the membrane preparation process in this work. They exhibit a simultaneous enhancement in CO2 permeability and CO2/H2 selectivity by optimizing the POSS content at extremely low loadings. This is mainly attributed to the large cavity of POSS itself and its effect on the segmental-level polymeric chain packing. More interestingly, the Pebax®/POSS MMMs reveal a much higher separation performance in the mixed gas test than that in the pure gas test. The highest CO2/H2 selectivity reaches 52.3 accompanied by CO2 permeability of 136 Barrer at 8 atm and 35 °C. This is due to the CO2-induced plasticization that improves the free volume and polymer chain mobility, hence benefiting the interaction between the polymer matrix and penetrant CO2. These features may ensure the superiority of Pebax®/POSS molecular-level MMMs as CO 2-selective membranes in the industrial application of hydrogen purification.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)10560-10568
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Volume35
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CO -selective membranes
  • Hydrogen purification
  • Molecular-level mixed matrix membranes
  • POSS
  • Pebax

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Fuel Technology
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

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