Preparation and characterization of polysulfone/nanosilica mixed matrix membranes for gas separation

This study investigates the gas separation performance of mixed matrix membranes based on the polysulfone (PSF) with the addition of silica nanoparticles. The permeability and selectivity of N2, Ar, CH4 and H2 gases were investigated at 6 bar and 25 °C. The membranes were prepared by solution-casting method. Two different concentrations of polymerin the casting solutions (10 and 15 wt.%) with two values of nanosilica contents (10 and 20 wt.%) were considered. The obtained results indicated the increase in permeability of approximately all gases, but enhancement in H2/N2, H2/CH4 and CH4/N2 selectivity by increasing the amounts of non-permeable silica nanoparticles in the membranes.

Keywords:

Gas separation , Mixed matrix membrane , Polysulfone , Nanosilica , Selectivity