SPEEK and functionalized mesoporous MCM-41 mixed matrix membranes for CO2 separations

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) composed of sulfonated aromatic poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and -SO3 functionalized mesoporous MCM-41 were prepared by the solution casting method. A SPEEK polymer with a fixed degree of sulfonation was used for membrane synthesis. CO2 permeation data and SEM images of the synthesized MMMs suggest that the functionalized fillers adhered well to the polymer matrix. Gas permeation tests indicated that the addition of functionalized MCM-41 to the polymer matrix increased both the gas permeability and selectivity. The highest selectivities obtained here for CO2/N-2 and CO2/CH4 were 40.46 and 22.86 (at a CO2 permeability of 21.04 Barrer), respectively. In order to initiate the evaluation of the practical commercial viability of these membranes, they were tested under different operating pressures and temperatures.