Carbon Dioxide/Nitrogen Separation Through Oxygenated Carbon Nanotubes‐Containing Polysulfone Membranes

Abstract

AbstractMultiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)‐containing polysulfone (PSf) mixed matrix membranes (MMM) are prepared using phase inversion by immersion precipitation. MWCNT are functionalized with oxygen groups to allow the dispersion of the filler in the polymer solution. Membranes with 0, 1, 3 and 5% w/w MWCNTs in PSf are prepared. The addition of the filler changed the permeability of pure PSf. The best results are found for the 1 wt% membrane, with increase in CO2 permeability of 660% and ideal selectivity CO2/N2 of 547%. The MMM also exhibited good thermal stability for gas separation. DSC and SEM results revealed that the addition of 1wt% of the filler caused changes in chain arrangements and membrane morphology.