Synthesis and optimization of high-performance amine-based polymer for CO2 separation

Abstract

• Optimal conditions were ascertained to obtain PVAm with high molecular weight and low crystallinity. • The effect of molecular weight and crystallinity on CO 2 separation performance of PVAm was systematically discussed. • The pilot scale synthesis of PVAm was successfully attempted for continuous preparation of composite membranes with high CO 2 separation performance. Membrane technology features inspiring excellence from numerous separation technologies for CO 2 capture from post-combustion gas. Polyvinylamine (PVAm)-based facilitated transport membranes show significantly high separation performance, which has been proven promising for industrial scale-up. However, commercialized PVAm with low molecular weight and excessive crystallinity is not available to prepare high-performance membranes. Herein, the synthesis process of PVAm was optimized by regulating polymerization and acidic hydrolytic conditions. The membranes based on PVAm with a molecular weight of 154 kDa and crystallinity of 11.37% display high CO 2 permeance of 726 GPU and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of 55 at a feed gas pressure of 0.50 MPa. Furthermore, we established a PVAm synthesis reactor with an annual PVAm solution (1%(mass)) capacity of over 7000 kg and realized the scaled-up manufacture of both PVAm and composite membranes.