Fabrication Parameters of Asymmetric Mixed Matrix Matrimid-MIL-53/PMHS Membrane for CO2/CH4 Separation

Asymmetrically mixed matrix Matrimid-MIL-53 membranes with silicone cover layer were fabricated. For better understanding of membrane fabrication process, three main parameters of fabrication, Matrimid concentration, silicone concentration and weight percentage of metal organic framework (MIL-53) particles, were optimized by an experimental design method. Cross-section SEM images were used to study the membrane structure and polymer-particles interface. Moreover, thermal resistance of the membranes and the existence of various bonds in them were investigated by FTIR and TGA analyses. The results showed that membranes had porous structure with finger-like morphology. At low and moderate percentages of particles, there were no non-selective voids observed at polymer-particles interface. The thermal resistance of membranes increased with the increase of MIL-53 weight percentage and the destruction temperature of polymer increased from 410°C to 450°C. The permeability tests results showed that the Matrimid (20% wt)-MIL-53(15% wt)/PMHS (10%wt) membrane exhibited the highest level of CO2/CH4 selectivity (23.6). However, in the membrane with 30 wt% particles loading, selectivity decreased due to particles agglomeration and void formation. The experimental design results showed that the concentration of silicone in covering solution had significant effect. CO2 and CH4 permeability decreased and ideal selectivity of CO2/CH4 increased with silicone concentration enhancement. Although the Matrimid concentration had a little effect on CO2/CH4 ideal selectivity, its enhancement increased the selectivity of the gases. The optimization results showed the membrane with 17.8% of Matrimd polymer, 13.2% of silicone polymer and 15.5 wt% of MIL-53 particle displayed the highest selectivity and CO2 permeability.