High performance MoS2 membranes: effects of thermally driven phase transition on CO2 separation efficiency

Submicrometer thick MoS2 membranes were investigated for their gas permeation properties and efficiency of H-2/CO2 separation. These membranes show high H-2/CO2 separation at very high H-2 permeability. The thermal stability of the membrane and the effect of phase transition of MoS2 from the 1T to the 2H phase on gas permeability and H-2/CO2 separation were investigated by heating the membrane at different temperatures. The MoS2 membranes were found to be thermally stable up to 160 degrees C and a significant increase in gas permeability was observed. The mechanism of gas permeation through the MoS2 membranes was found to be through interbundle spaces instead of interlayer spaces of individual MoS2 sheets.