Fabrication and characterization of silica modified polyimide-zeolite mixed matrix membranes for gas separation properties

In this study, new monomers having silica groups were synthesized as an intermediate for the preparation of poly(imide siloxane)-zeolite 4A and 13X mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The effects of membrane preparation steps, zeolite loading, precursor's composition, and pore size of zeolite on the gas separation performance of these mixed matrix membranes were studied. The new diamine monomer was prepared from 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid (3,5-DABA), 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (3-APTMS), and zeolite 4A and zeolite 13X in N-methyl-2-pyrollidone (NMP) at 180 degrees C. Poly(imide siloxane)-zeolite 4A and 13X MMMs were synthesized from pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and 4,4-oxydianiline (ODA) in NMP using a two-step thermal imidization. SEM images of the MMMs show the interface between polymer and zeolite phases getting closer when surface modified zeolite is used. The increase in glass transition temperature (T-g) confirms the polymer chain becoming more rigid induced by the presence of zeolite. The experimental results indicated that a higher zeolite loading resulted in a decrease in gas permeability and an increase in gas pair selectivity. In terms of O-2 and N-2 permeance and ideal selectivity, the separation performances of poly(imide siloxane)-zeolite MMMs were related to the zeolite type and zeolite pore dimension.