CO2/CH4 separation through a novel commercializable three-phase PEBA/PEG/NaX nanocomposite membrane

Three-phase polymer/liquid/solid (PEBA/PEG/nanozeolite X) mixed matrix membranes were synthesized. Effects of PEG and/or nanoparticle on CO2 and CH4 permeabilities and CO2/CH4 selectivity of the membranes were investigated. The synthesized membranes were characterized using AFM and SEM. CO2 Permeability and selectivity in the membranes increased with feed pressure and PEG loading. The PEBA membrane with loadings of 30% PEG and 10% nanozeolite showed the best performance; its CO2 permeability and CO2/CH4 selectivity at 8 bar were 95 Barrer and 45, respectively. Based on Robeson's upper bound, both the three-phase membranes of this work would be proper for being commercialized. (C) 2014 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.