Synthesis of novel Al2O3 nanoparticle organic hybrid materials for enhancing the CO2-separation performance of prepared Al2O3-NOHMs/Pebax mixed matrix membrane

Abstract

In this study, a novel liquid-like nanoparticle organic hybrid materials (NOHMs) is synthesized, in which Al2O3 was used as core, called as Al2O3-NOHMs, and it has been used for the first time to improve the performance of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for CO2 capture. In addition, the Al2O3-NOHMs with core/corona/canopy structure observed by TEM possess unique enthalpy effect and entropy effect, which can break through the trade-off effect of membrane separation process. According to gas separation permeation tests, the Al2O3-NOHMs/Pebax mixed matrix membranes with 2 wt% Al2O3-NOHMs showed higher CO2 permeability of 137.15 Barrer and CO2/N2 selectivity of 77.8 compared with neat Pebax membranes, and surpassed 2008 Robeson upper bound. Hence, this novel NOHMs is a very promising alternative to prepare MMMs for CO2 capture.