Polysulfone Membranes Incorporated with Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles for Enhanced Olefin/Paraffin Separation

The membrane technology has received considerable attention for olefin/paraffin separation in recent years, owing to its attractive energy efficiency. In this study, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is prepared via hydrothermal treatment of graphene oxide. The prepared rGO is characterized and then incorporated into polysulfone (PSF) to fabricate mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs). The fabricated membranes are characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. The gas transport properties of the MMMs are evaluated for ethylene/ethane and propylene/propane gas pairs at 2 bar and 30 circle C . Permeation tests indicate that the PSF membrane embedded with 1.0 wt% of the rGO nanosheets has 143% and 193% higher C2H4 and C3H6 permeabilities, respectively, its C3H6/C3H8 selectivity is 18% higher, but its C2H4/C2H6 selectivity is 23% lower, compared to those of the pristine PSF membrane. The gas permeability enhancement is attributed to improved gas diffusion and solubility coefficients. These results indicate the potential of rGO nanosheets for the enhancement of olefin permeabilities without significant drops in olefin/paraffin selectivities.