Enhanced CO2/N2 separation performance by incorporating Zinc oxide nanoparticles in cross-linked Poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate

For separation of carbon dioxide (CO2) from nitrogen, nanocomposite membranes were prepared by incorporation of Zinc oxide, ZnO, nanoparticles within Poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate, PEGDA. Cross-linked poly (ethylene oxide) membranes, PEOs, are new polymeric groups to prepare fully amorphous membrane from liquid PEOs. In this investigation nanocomposite membranes were fabricated by in-situ UV photo-polymerization technique. Then, the effect of ZnO nanoparticles on the gas transport properties of the nanocomposite membranes was investigated using constant-volume method. The results showed that incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles enhances CO2/N2 separation performance by increasing both CO2 permeability and CO2/N2 selectivity, as the loading content of ZnO was increased. It was realized that the optimum loading content is equal to 4.5 wt.% which improves CO2 permeability and CO2/N2 selectivity about 60% and 20 %, respectively, compare to the neat membrane. Additionally, SEM-energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) revealed well dispersion quality of the nanoparticles through the polymeric matrix

Keywords:

Photo (polymerization) , Zinc Oxide nanoparticles , nanocomposite membrane , CO2/N2 separation , flue gas , poly (ethylene oxide)