Abstract
Through this work, we are reporting high-performance ZIF-8 @polycarbonate nanocomposite membranes with satisfactory structural stability for improving the gas separation performance. ZIF-8 nanoparticles were synthesised using the wet chemical route with cubic morphology and controlled size using CTAB as a surfactant. The membranes were prepared using the solution casting method by adding ZIF-8 filler at various concentrations. The synthesised filler material and MMMs were characterised through X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and RAMAN spectroscopy techniques. The gas separation measurements were taken using H2, CO2, and N2 gas in the purest form. The SEM results confirm the formation of spherulite-like morphology with the addition of ZIF-8 due to the crystallisation of the polymer, which increased the membrane’s free volume and opened up additional pathways for the transportation of the gas molecules. The gas separation results confirmed that the 15 wt% ZIF-8/PC nanocomposite membrane showed the maximum H2 permeability of 180,970 barrer with an increment of 316.03%, while H2/CO2 and H2/N2 selectivity showed the increments of 89.43% and 103.64%, respectively. Therefore, this PC/ZIF-8 system seems to be a promising approach to developing new H2 selective membranes with high gas permeability and gas selectivity values.
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Abbreviations
- MMM:
-
Mixed matrix membranes
- CTAB:
-
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide
- CNT:
-
Carbon nanotubes
- GO:
-
Graphene oxide
- MOF:
-
Metal-organic framework
- ZIF:
-
Zeolitic imidazolate framework
- PIM:
-
Polymer of intrinsic microporosity
- NP:
-
Nanoparticles
- PC:
-
Polycarbonate
- DI:
-
De-ionised water
- FESEM:
-
Field emission scanning electron microscopy
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Acknowledgements
The authors PC and NS are thankful to the Ministry of Education, India, for providing the fellowship. The authors also acknowledge Materials Research Center, MNIT Jaipur, for providing the characterisation facilities.
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All authors have contributed to the study conception and design. Prashant Choudhary: sample preparation. Nishel Saini: data collection and analysis, and writing the final draft. Myung Han Yoon: supervision and editing, Kamlendra Awasthi: supervision and editing. Kamakshi Pandey: supervision, conceptualization, and editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Choudhary, P., Saini, N., Yoon, M.H. et al. ZIF-8 @polycarbonate nanocomposite membranes for improved permeability and selectivity for hydrogen gas. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 105387–105397 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-29650-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-29650-y