In situ carbon deposition in polyetherimide/SAPO‐34 mixed matrix membrane for efficient CO2/CH4 separation

Abstract

ABSTRACTA simple method of pore modification complied with defect removal polymer zeolite mixed matrix membrane was developed by in situ carbon (C) deposition. The C deposition was achieved by the controlled decomposition of polymer matrix by heat treatment. In this study, polyetherimide/silicoaluminophosphate‐34 mixed matrix membrane (MMM) was fabricated on clay‐alumina support tube, followed by carbonization of the polymer matrix for gas separation application. MMM without heat treatment were also synthesized for comparison by conventional method. The membranes were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Due to carbonization, in situ C nanoparticles were deposited in to the interfacial pores, and filler particles were oriented in preferable direction. The presence of CO, CN, and graphitic carbon in the matrix, may be an indication of partial carbonization and restoration of adherence of polymer with substrate. The separation factor for CO2/CH4 achieved 39.15 with a permeance value of 23.01 × 10−8mol/(m2 s Pa) for CO2 at 30 °C and 200 kPa feed pressure. For the first time, this work shows an improvement toward permeability of MMM by simple carbonization of polymer matrix with commendable values as compare to the reported literature. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45508.