Development and Characterization of PES/ EDA-Functionalized TiO2 Mixed Matrix Membrane for CO2 Removal from Natural Gas

The use of mixed matrix membranes is progressively growing in the field of
gas separation applications. However poor adhesion between the polymer matrix and
inorganic filler is a key challenge that consequences in a declined separation
performance. Modification techniques of the inorganic fillers, such as amine-graftinghave been introduced in the synthesis of mixed matrix membrane in order to enhance
the compatibility between the filler and the polymer matrix In this present work, mixed
matrix membranes using polyethersulfone as the polymer phase and pristine TiO2
nanoparticles as well as ethylenediamine-grafted TiO2 nanoparticles as the inorganic
filler at different loadings (5, 10 and 15% wt) were synthesized via dry phase inversion
method. Membranes embedded with ethylenediamine-TiO2 exhibited and enhanced
morphology and thermal stability as per revealed by field emission scanning electron
microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis respectively as compared to membranes
incorporated with pristine TiO2 particles.