Fabrication and testing of mixed matrix membranes of UiO‐66‐NH2 in cellulose acetate for CO2 separation from model biogas

Abstract

AbstractMixed Matrix Membranes (MMMs) of UiO‐66‐NH2 nanoparticles dispersed in Cellulose Acetate (CA) were prepared with filler loading of 2–20 wt%. MMMs were tested for the upgradation of model biogas (60%–40%) mixture of CH4/CO2 at a feed pressure of 2 bar and 1.5 bar. Detailed characterization of MMMs was performed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) to investigate the physical and thermal properties. MMMs formed are defects‐free, voids‐free, and without polymer rigidification, indicating a better filler polymer interface. MMMs showed improved CO2 permeability while retaining the CO2/CH4 selectivity. The 10 wt.% UiO‐66‐NH2/CA MMM showed optimum gas separation performance with CO2 permeability of 11 Barrer and CO2/CH4 selectivity of 10. The UiO‐66‐NH2/CA MMMs performed better when compared to the pure CA membrane. The experimental permeability and selectivity data were compared with the predicted data using Maxwell, Lewis–Nielsen, Higuchi, and Bruggeman's model.