m moghaddasi - Department of Chemical Engineering, Islamic Azad University-Shahrood Branch, Iran,
m rahmani - Department of Chemical Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Iran

In the present study, Matrimid 5218 membranes were prepared and some modification operations were carried out to enhance permeability and/or ideal selectivity of membranes. In order to make Matrimid membranes more industrial and applicable, some nano and micro particles were dispersed throughout the membranes to from Mixed Matrix Membranes (MMMs). Moreover, pure Matrimid was modified with bromine to increase permeability of membranes. Ultimately, to prevent plasticization phenomenon cross-linked Matrimid membranes were fabricated by using Ethylenediamine. Employing a gas separation membrane unit, permeability of single gases (CO2 and CH4) through mentioned membranes were studied. Permeability of MMMs and brominated Matrimid membranes was enhanced as compared with pristine membranes. Conversely, permeability of cross-linked Matrimid membrane was decreased. In some cases, ideal selectivity was also improved. Formation of amide groups in cross-linked Matrimid membranes and bromination reaction were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Thermal properties of modified and unmodified membranes were investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis. Apart from brominated matrimid, all modified membranes were more resistant than pristine membranes against heat treatment

Matrimid 5218, Cross-linking, Bromination reaction, MMMs, Permeability, Ideal Selectivity