An Investigation on Gas Transport Properties of Elvaloy4170/[Emim][Tf2N] Hybrid Membranes for Efficient CO2 /CH4 Separation

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Tarbiat Modares University, Iran

2 Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran

3 Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, Iran

Abstract

This study investigates the separation performance of a polymer-IL hybrid membrane comprised of Elvaloy4170 and 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Emim][Tf2 N]) ionic liquid. The goal is to incorporate superior features of Elvaloy4170 as a cost-effective commercial polymer with desirable CO2 permeability and mechanical strength, with those of [Emim][Tf2 N] such as high affinity to CO2 molecules for fabricating high performance hybrid membranes. Results revealed that the presence of IL within the polymeric matrix leads to simultaneous enhancement of permeability and selectivity values. This is confirmed by the increase in CO2 permeability from 88 to 141 Barrer accompanied with 2.5 fold increase in CO2 /CH4 ideal selectivity in hybrid membrane containing 40 wt. % IL. Both SEM-EDX analysis and Maxwell predictions confirmed the heterogeneous structure of polymer/IL hybrid membranes with no specific chemical interactions confirmed by FTIR-ATR spectra. The hybrid membranes prepared in this study showed promising separation performance at low temperature levels, e.g. CO2 /CH4 ideal selectivity reached to 24.3 at 15°C. Moreover, separation performance of the hybrid membranes displayed minute variation facing higher pressures of up to 16 bar.

Graphical Abstract

An Investigation on Gas Transport Properties of Elvaloy4170/[Emim][Tf2N] Hybrid Membranes for Efficient CO2 /CH4 Separation

Highlights

• Elvloy4170/IL hybrid membranes were fabricated for efficient CO2/CH4 separation.

• All hybrid membranes showed greater CO2 separation performance.

• Significant increase in selectivity (2.5 fold) was achieved in 40 wt. % IL hybrid membrane.

• All prepared membranes displayed great stability at pressure up to 16 bar.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Journal of Membrane Science and Research
Volume 7, Issue 3
July 2021
Pages 185-195

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History

  • Receive Date: 17 May 2020
  • Revise Date: 17 August 2020
  • Accept Date: 26 August 2020

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