Permeation Studies of Mixed Matrix Membrane

Abstract

Titania nanoparticles have exceptional mechanical properties which make them very attractive for the development of composite membranes. In this research, CO2, O2 and N2 gas permeation behavior of flat sheet composite membranes was examined. The polyamide6 and polysulfone mixed matrix membranes were synthesized using solution casting method. The morphology and dispersion of nanoparticles were observed through SEM. However, the composite membranes were also characterized using several analytical techniques such as universal tensile testing machine (UTM), and thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis. Characterization of these membranes depicted that Titania nanoparticles are extremely compatible with both the polymers. The permeation experiments were performed with CO2, O2 and N2 to explore the host-guest interaction of nanoparticles with chosen gases. The permeability of CO2 was found pronounced compared to O2 and N2 for both polyamide6 and polysulfone MMMs. MMMs with 7wt % Titania loading was found to have higher permeability in case of PA6 and PSf.