Synthesis of asymmetric polyetherimide membrane for CO2/N2 separation

29th Symposium of Malaysian Chemical Engineers 2016

Ahmad, A.L.^1 ; Salaudeen, Y.O.^1 ; Jawad, Z.A.^2

School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang

14300, Malaysia^1

Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemical Engineering, Curtin University Malaysia, CDT 250, Sarawak, Miri

98009, Malaysia^2

关键词: Fossil fuel combustion;    Global climate changes;    Morphological characteristic;    N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone;    Polyetherimide membranes;    Polymer concentrations;    Separation performance;    Structure and morphology;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/206/1/012068/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1757-899X/206/1/012068

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

Large emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the environment requires mitigation to avoid unbearable consequences on global climate change. The CO2emissions generated by fossil fuel combustion within the power and industrial sectors need to be quickly curbed. The gas emission can be abated using membrane technology; this is one of the most promising approaches for selective separation of CO2/N2. The purpose of the study is to synthesis an asymmetric polyetherimide (PEI) membrane and to establish its morphological characteristics for CO2/N2separation. The PEI flat-sheet asymmetric membrane was fabricated using phase inversion with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as solvent and water-isopropanol as a coagulant. Particularly, polymer concentration of 20, 25, and 30 wt. % were studied. In addition, the structure and morphology of the produced membrane were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Importantly, results showed that the membrane with high PEI concentration of 30 wt. % yield an optimal selectivity of 10.7 for CO2/Nitrogen (N2) separation at 1 bar and 25 °C for pure gas, aided by the membrane surface morphology. The dense skin present was as a result of non-solvent (water) while isopropanol generates a porous sponge structure. This appreciable separation performance makes the PEI asymmetric membrane an attractive alternative for CO2/N2separation.