Fabrication of PVC/CA -based Mixed Matrix Membranes Filled with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for CO2, CH4, and N2 Gases Separation

PVC/MWCNT’s and CA/MWCNT’s mixed matrix membranes (MMM’s) were prepared. These membranes were characterized for the investigation of gas separation properties. For this reason, both raw and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT’s) were used. At last, it is understood that membranes filled with functionalized MWCNT’s had better performance. The effects of MWCNT’s loading ratio were investigated on the gas separation performance of the prepared membranes for He, N2, CH4, and CO2 gases. The results represented that all gases permeability had an increasing manner with increasing the nanofiller loading ratio. CO2 permeability were more increased and at 1 wt.% of MWCNT’s for MMM’s based on PVC, and at 5 wt.% of MWCNT’s for MMM’s based on CA, this value reaches 11.48 and 14.21 respectively. Moreover, CO2/CH4 gas separation selectivity showed better results and at 3 wt.% of MWCNT’s reaches its maximum value (52.76). Also, the results of mechanical resistance analysis represented that MMM’s based on PVC have better mechanical properties than MMM’s based on CA.