Multicomponent Network Formation in Selective Layer of Composite Membrane for CO(2) Separation

As a promising material for CO(2)/N(2) separation, PolyActive(TM) can be used as a separation layer in thin-film composite membranes (TFCM). Prior studies focused on the modification of PolyActive(TM) using low-molecular-weight additives. In this study, the effect of chemical crosslinking of reactive end-groups containing additives, forming networks within selective layers of the TFCM, has been studied. In order to understand the influence of a network embedded into a polymer matrix on the properties of the resulting materials, various characterization methods, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas transport measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), were used. The characterization of the resulting membrane regarding individual gas permeances by an in-house built “pressure increase” facility revealed a twofold increase in CO(2) permeance, with insignificant losses in CO(2)/N(2) selectivity.