The Synthesis and Implementation of Pebax/PEG 400/NH2-MIL125 Nanocomposite Membranes to Separate CO2/CH4

In the present study, the permeabilities of CO2 and CH4 in terms of ideal and actual CO2/CH4 selectivity were investigated through the synthesized membranes of poly (ether-block-amide) (Pebax 1657) accompanied with poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG 400) and NH2-MIL125 nanoparticles. NH2-MIL125 nanofillers were added to the blend of PEG 400 and Pebax 1657 at various weight fractions to fabricate polymeric nanocomposite membranes. Several analyses such as the crystalline structure of the synthesized membranes, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) were utilized to investigate the cross-sectional and surface morphology of the membranes; the formation of the chemical bonds was identified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). This study presents the permeation of both pure and mixed gases ofmethane and carbon dioxide through Pebax 1657, Pebax/PEG blend, and the Pebax/PEG/NH2-MIL125 nanocomposite membranes in a pressure range of 2-8 bar and at ambient temperature. The findings demonstrated that the synthesized nanocomposite membranes had a positive effect on the separation performance in comparison with the membranes made of neat polymer and polymer blends.