Novel Cellulose Triacetate (CTA)/Cellulose Diacetate (CDA) Blend Membranes Enhanced by Amine Functionalized ZIF-8 for CO₂ Separation

• Main Authors: Ayesha Raza, Susilo Japip, Can Zeng Liang, Sarah Farrukh, Arshad Hussain, Tai-Shung Chung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: zeolitic imidazolate frameworks; polymer blend; mixed matrix membrane; plasticization resistance; CO₂ separation
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/17/2946

Currently, cellulose acetate (CA) membranes dominate membrane-based CO₂ separation for natural gas purification due to their economical and green nature. However, their lower CO₂ permeability and ease of plasticization are the drawbacks. To overcome these weaknesses, we have developed high-performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) consisting of cellulose triacetate (CTA), cellulose diacetate (CDA), and amine functionalized zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (NH₂-ZIF-8) for CO₂ separation. The NH₂-ZIF-8 was chosen as a filler because (1) its pore size is between the kinetic diameters of CO₂ and CH₄ and (2) the NH₂ groups attached on the surface of NH₂-ZIF-8 have good affinity with CO₂ molecules. The incorporation of NH₂-ZIF-8 in the CTA/CDA blend matrix improved both the gas separation performance and plasticization resistance. The optimized membrane containing 15 wt.% of NH₂-ZIF-8 had a CO₂ permeability of 11.33 Barrer at 35 °C under the trans-membrane pressure of 5 bar. This is 2-fold higher than the pristine membrane, while showing a superior CO₂/CH₄ selectivity of 33. In addition, the former had 106% higher CO₂ plasticization resistance of up to about 21 bar and an impressive mixed gas CO₂/CH₄ selectivity of about 40. Therefore, the newly fabricated MMMs based on the CTA/CDA blend may have great potential for CO₂ separation in the natural gas industry.