Investigation on Nanocomposite Membrane of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Polycarbonate Blend for Gas Separation

Ayesha Kausar

doi:10.1155/2016/7089530

Abstract

Carbon nanotube has been explored as a nanofiller in high performance polymeric membrane for gas separation. In this regard, nanocomposite membrane of polycarbonate (PC), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVFHFP), and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) was fabricated via phase inversion technique. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was employed for the compatibilization of the blend system. Two series of PC/PVFHFP/PEG were developed using purified P-MWCNT and acid functional A-MWCNT nanofiller. Scanning and transmission electron micrographs have shown fine nanotube dispersion and wetting by matrix, compared with the purified system. Tensile strength and Young’s modulus of PC/PVFHFP/PEG/MWCNT-A 1–5 were found to be in the range of 63.6–72.5 MPa and 110.6–122.1 MPa, respectively. The nanocomposite revealed 51% increase in Young’s modulus and 28% increase in tensile stress relative to the pristine blend. The A-MWCNT was also effective in enhancing the permselectivity αCO2/N2 (31.2–39.9) of nanocomposite membrane relative to the blend membrane (21.6). The permeability PCO2 of blend was 125.6 barrer; however, the functional series had enhanced PCO2 values ranging from 142.8 to 186.6 barrer. Moreover, A-MWCNT loading improved the gas diffusivity of PC/PVFHFP/PEG/MWCNT-A 1–5; however, filler content did not significantly influence the CO2 and N2 solubility.

Highlights

Among carbon nanostructured materials, carbon nanotube (CNT) is one of the nanomaterials having remarkable physical and mechanical properties [1, 2]
In PC/CNT nanocomposite, enhancement in Young’s modulus, strength, and toughness has been considered [6, 21, 22]. In this attempt, multiwalled carbon nanotube- (MWCNT-) based nanocomposite membranes have been developed for CO2/N2 separation
The desired contents (1, 3, 5, and 7 wt.%) of nanofiller (P-MWCNT and A-MWCNT) were added and the mixture was refluxed for 3 h at 80∘C (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Carbon nanotube (CNT) is one of the nanomaterials having remarkable physical and mechanical properties [1, 2]. Carbon nanotube has been used as a nanofiller to form ultralight structural materials with enhanced thermal, mechanical, electrical, and optical characteristics [3,4,5]. The light weight, ease of processability, and efficiency of polymeric membrane render it attractive for carbon dioxide capture relative to conventional membranes These membranes have the ability to selectively pass one component in a gas mixture, despite rejecting others [12]. In PC/CNT nanocomposite, enhancement in Young’s modulus, strength, and toughness has been considered [6, 21, 22] In this attempt, multiwalled carbon nanotube- (MWCNT-) based nanocomposite membranes have been developed for CO2/N2 separation. The MWCNT reinforced PC/PVFHFP/PEG membranes possess fine CO2/N2 gas separation performance and mechanical properties relative to neat blend membrane

Experimental

Results and Discussion

Conclusions