Abstract
The use of immiscible polymer blends in gas separations is limited due to uncontrollable phase separation. In contrast, compatibilized immiscible polymer blends can be used as precursors with controlled morphologies that allow for a unique pore architecture. Herein, an immiscible polymer blend (1:1) comprising polybenzimidazole (PBI) and the copolyimide 6FDA-DAM:DABA [3:2], derived from reacting 4,4-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) with 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3-phenylenediamine (DAM) and 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid (DABA), were combined with durene diamine as a compatibilizer. The compatibilizer helped reduce the 6FDD domain sizes from 5.6 µm down to 0.77 µm and induced a more even 6FDA distribution and the formation of continuous thin-selective PBI layers. The carbon–carbon composite membranes derived from the compatibilized immiscible polymer blends showed a 3-fold increase in both H2 permeability and H2/CO2 selectivity compared to the membranes derived from non-compatibilized polymer blends. The H2 permeability of the compatibilized immiscible polymer blends increased from 3.6 to 27 Barrer, and their H2/CO2 selectivity increased from 7.2 to 20. The graphitic domain size of the carbon–carbon composite membranes derived from the polymer blends also increased from 6.3 nm for the non-compatibilized blend to 10.0 nm for the compatibilized blend.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.