Masoomeh Naseri - Research and Technology Centre for Membrane Separation Processes, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Narmak, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Foad Mousavi - Research and Technology Centre for Membrane Separation Processes, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Narmak, Tehran, Iran
Toraj Mohammadi - Research and Technology Centre for Membrane Separation Processes, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Narmak, Tehran, Iran

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) are composites of highly selective fillers dispersed within polymeric matrixes, which are gradually entering to industrial applications. In this work, MMMs containing amino-functionalized-MIL-101(Al) as filler and Matrimid 5218 as a polymeric matrix were investigated. The amino-functionalized-MIL-101(Al) nanopowder as conjoint nanoparticles was first synthesized by solvothermal method. Gas adsorption measurement of amino-functionalized-MIL-101(Al) was performed for CO2, CH4 and N2 gases. The results showed more adsorption of CO2 rather than the two other gases. Cross section SEM images of the synthesized MMMs exhibited plastic deformation of the polymeric matrix attributed to high affinity of the amino-functionalized-MIL-101(Al) nanoparticles and the Matrimid polymeric matrix. Permeabilities of the synthesized MMMs were measured for pure gases of CO2, CH4 and N2 resulted in increasing permeability of all tested gases and decreasing selectivity of CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 and approximately constant selectivity of CH4/N2 in compare to those of the neat Matrimid membrane. The CO2 permeability was improved 28% for 10 wt. % loading, and the selectivity of CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 were reduced 12.5% and 12.1%, respectively, compared with those of the neat membrane.

Mixed matrix membrane, Adsorption, Gas separation, Nanopowder filler, amino-functionalized-MIL-101(Al)