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Issue 8, 2012
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Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) based polymer nanocomposite membranes for gas separation

Qilei Song,a  S. K. Nataraj,a  Mina V. Roussenova,b  Jin Chong Tan,c  David J. Hughes,b  Wei Li,c  Pierre Bourgoin,a  M. Ashraf Alam,b  Anthony K. Cheetham,c  Shaheen A. Al-Muhtasebd  and  Easan Sivaniah*a 
Author affiliations

* Corresponding authors

a Biological and Soft Systems Sector, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
E-mail: es10009@cam.ac.uk
Fax: +44 (0)1223 337000
Tel: +44 (0)1223 337267

b H. H. Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK

c Department of Material Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK

d Department of Chemical Engineering, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar

Abstract

As synthesised ZIF-8 nanoparticles (size ∼ 60 nm and specific surface area ∼ 1300–1600 m2 g−1) were directly incorporated into a model polymer matrix (Matrimid® 5218) by solution mixing. This produces flexible transparent membranes with excellent dispersion of nanoparticles (up to loadings of 30 wt%) with good adhesion within the polymer matrix, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and gas sorption studies. Pure gas (H2, CO2, O2, N2 and CH4) permeation tests showed enhanced permeability of the mixed matrix membrane with negligible losses in selectivity. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) indicated that an increase in the free volume of the polymer with ZIF-8 loading together with the free diffusion of gas through the cages of ZIF-8 contributed to an increase in gas permeability of the composite membrane. The gas transport properties of the composite membranes were well predicted by a Maxwell model whilst the processing strategy reported can be extended to fabricate other polymer nanocomposite membranes intended for a wide range of emerging energy applications.

Graphical abstract: Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) based polymer nanocomposite membranes for gas separation

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Publication details

The article was received on 19 Apr 2012, accepted on 12 Jun 2012 and first published on 13 Jun 2012


Article type: Paper
DOI: 10.1039/C2EE21996D
Energy Environ. Sci., 2012,5, 8359-8369

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    Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) based polymer nanocomposite membranes for gas separation

    Q. Song, S. K. Nataraj, M. V. Roussenova, J. C. Tan, D. J. Hughes, W. Li, P. Bourgoin, M. A. Alam, A. K. Cheetham, S. A. Al-Muhtaseb and E. Sivaniah, Energy Environ. Sci., 2012, 5, 8359
    DOI: 10.1039/C2EE21996D

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