Bendable Zeolite Membrane: Rapid Synthesis with Improved Separation Performance
Loading...
Date
2015-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Separation of CO2 emitted from stationary resources is effective in reducing CO2 content in the atmosphere, thereby mitigating adverse climate change effects. Currently, there is considerable research on technologies that can capture CO2 effectively with cost parameters suitable for practical implementation, but most of them are not applicable due to the high cost.1 Polymeric membranes are the front runners for this application, but have limitations due to an upper bound of selectivity and permeability.2 Inorganic zeolite membrane in principle, can have selectivity and permeability considerably higher than polymers.1,3–5 In this study, we present a cost-effective strategy for zeolite growth WITHIN the pores of a polymer support, with crystallization time of an hour, which makes the process compatible with polymer membrane manufacturing. With a thin coating of 200 nm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on the zeolite-polymer composite, gas transport data for CO2/N2 separation indicate separation factors of 35-45, with CO2 permeance between 1600-2200 GPU (1 GPU = 3.35 × 10-10 mol/(m2•s•Pa)). The synthesis process results in membranes that are highly reproducible towards transport measurements, and exhibit long-term stability. Most importantly, these membranes because of the zeolite growth within the polymer support, as contrasted to conventional zeolite growth on top of a support are mechanically flexible and have the potential to be fabricated into spiral wound module with high surface area and lowered cost. Also, this innovative flexible inorganic membrane platform can be extended to other microporous structures for various applications.
Description
Mathematical and Physical Sciences: 2nd Place (The Ohio State University Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum)
Keywords
Bendable zeolite membrane, Faujasite, CO2 capture, Polyethersulfone