Enhanced gas separation properties by using nanostructured PES-zeolite 4A mixed matrix membranes

The polymer-zeolite mixed matrix membranes were fabricated by incorporating nanosized or microsized zeolite 4A into polyethersulfone. A comparison of zeolite 4A nanocrystals and microcrystals was made by using SEM, XRD, N-2 adsorption-desorption measurements. Zeolite particles were well-distributed in the polymer phase, as reflected by the SEM images. The effects of the zeolite 4A particle size on the gas permeation performance were studied. Experimental results demonstrate that mixed matrix membranes exhibit decreased gas permeabilities due to the barrier effect of zeolite particles. The obtained permselectivity is greatly enhanced for He/N-2, H-2/N-2, He/CO2, and H-2/CO2 gas pairs, especially for nanosized zeolite 4A mixed matrix membranes. The gas permeation performance difference is observed between the nanostructured and microstructured membranes, which is attributed to a combined effect of different zeolite composition and different particle size. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.