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CO2/CH4 and H-2/CH4 Gas Separation Performance of CTA-TNT@CNT Hybrid Mixed Matrix Membranes

Year: 2021

Journal: Membranes, Volume 11, NOV

Authors: Regmi, Chhabilal; Ashtiani, Saeed; Hrdlicka, Zdenek; Friess, Karel

Organizations: European Structural and Investment Funds OP RDE [CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/18-053/0016974]; Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports [LTAUSA 19038]

Keywords: cellulose triacetate polymer; TNT@CNT hybrid fillers; mixed matrix membranes; CO2 and CH4 separation

This study explored the underlying synergy between titanium dioxide nanotube (TNT) and carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid fillers in cellulose triacetate (CTA)-based mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for natural gas purification. The CNT@TNT hybrid nanofillers were blended with CTA polymer and cast as a thin film by a facile casting technique, after which they were used for single gas separation. The hybrid filler-based membrane depicted a higher CO2 uptake affinity than the single filler (CNT/TNT)-based membrane. The gas separation results indicate that the hybrid fillers (TNT@CNT) are strongly selective for CO2 over CH4 and H-2 over CH4. The increment in the CO2/CH4 and H-2/CH4 selectivities compared to the pristine CTA membrane was 42.98 from 25.08 and 48.43 from 36.58, respectively. Similarly, the CO2 and H-2 permeability of the CTA-TNT@CNT membrane increased by six- and five-fold, respectively, compared to the pristine CTA membrane. Such significant improvements in CO2/CH4 and H-2/CH4 separation performance and thermal and mechanical properties suggest a feasible and practical approach for potential biogas upgrading and natural gas purification.