Structure and Gas Transport Behavior of Polysulfone/ Polyacrylonitrile–carbon Molecular Sieve Mixed Matrix Membrane

Abstract

Mixed matrix membrane (MMM) comprising of polyacrylonitrile based carbon molecular sieve (PAN–CMS) and polysulfone (PSF) Udel® P–1700 were synthesized and characterized as an alternative material for gas separation. The structure and the gas transport behavior of this hybrid system was investigated by thorough analysis using thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), field emission scanning microscopy (FESEM) and single gas permeation test. The thermal analysis based on TGA and DSC results indicated that T_gs and T_ds of PSF have been extended to higher temperatures. These findings suggest that PAN–CMS have improved the thermal property of PSF in the MMM system. FESEM micrographs revealed that the PSF/ PANCMS MMMs possess an acceptable PSF and PAN–CMS interfacial adhesion with the average interfacial gap size of less than 1ìm. The excellent gas separation capability of the PSF/ PAN–CMS MMM was proven as the hybrid film with 20 wt% PAN–CMS loading exhibited higher O₂/N₂ selectivity (5.80) than that of pure PSF film (5.45).