Facilitated transport graphene oxide based PPOdm mixed matrix membrane for CO2 separation

Abstract

In this work, a novel class of Mixed Matrix Membrane (MMM) has been prepared by incorporating graphene oxide (GO) at different loading in glassy poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPOdm) polymer matrix via dry-phase inversion technique. The resultant MMM was characterized and the effect of embedded GO nanosheets on the performance of the MMM was investigated using pure CO2 and CH4 gases. MMM at 5 wt% GO loading displays the optimum gas separation performance with an ideal CO2/CH4 selectivity and CO2 permeability values of 40.27 and 80.95 barrer, respectively. Compared to pristine PPOdm membrane, the CO2/CH4 ideal selectivity and CO2 permeability values increased by 781% and 15%, respectively. The high-aspect ratio of GO with surface hydroxyl and carboxyl groups facilitates the transport mechanism of CO2 molecules, acted as a selective barrier and eventually renders high selectivity value