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Title: Thin-film composite membranes based on hyperbranched poly(ethylene oxide) for CO2/N2 separation

Journal Article · · Journal of Membrane Science

Cross-linked amorphous poly(ethylene oxide) (XLPEO) is one of the leading membrane materials for post-combustion CO2 capture. For example, XLPEO prepared from poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGMEA) exhibited CO2 permeability of 570 Barrer and CO2/N2 selectivity of 41 at 35 °C. However, these XLPEOs cannot be dissolved in coating solutions, making it impossible to be fabricated into thin-film composite (TFC) membranes using state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. In this study, we synthesized high molecular weight yet soluble HPEO via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). These polymers were thoroughly characterized and compared with XLPEO, including thermal transitions, free volumes, and pure-gas sorption and permeation properties. A polymer with the best combination of CO2 permeability (540 Barrer) and CO2/N2 selectivity (43) was fabricated into defect-free TFC membranes with a thickness as thin as 506 ± 44 nm. When challenged with simulated flue gas containing water vapor at 35 °C for over 100 h, the membrane shows stable CO2 permeance of 850 GPU and CO2/N2 selectivity of 37, comparable to the leading commercial membranes for carbon capture.

Research Organization:
State Univ. of New York at Buffalo, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
FE0031736; NSF-1554236
OSTI ID:
1865821
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1837114
Journal Information:
Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 644; ISSN 0376-7388
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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