Mixed matrix membrane comprising polyimide with crystalline porous imide-linked covalent organic framework for N2/O2 separation

An imide-linked covalent organic framework (COF) was successfully synthesized by directly heating a mixture of melamine and biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) in a tubular oven at 335 degrees C. The crystalline and nanostructure of this COF was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). A mixed matrix membrane (MMM) was prepared by blending the COF into the commercial P84 polyimide in solution. It is found that the COF particles not only act as gas channels for N-2 and O-2 permeation but also provided an inverse permselective property with higher permeability of N-2. The effect of COF nanostructure and its loading amount on N-2 and O-2 permeability and selectivity has been investigated.