STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION AND GAS PERMEATION PROPERTIES OF POLYETHERIMIDE (PEI)/ZEOLITIC IMIDAZOLATE (ZIF-11) MIXED MATRIX MEMBRANES

In this study, the preparation of polyetherimide (PEI-Ultem1000)/ZIF-11 mixed matrix membranes was studied in various ZIF-11 nanoparticles loadings (0, 10, 15, 20, and 30 wt.%). The newly synthesized ZIF-11 nanoparticles with an average particle size of ~280 nm were integrated in PEI membranes as novel mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The effect of ZIF-11 loading was scrutinised for H 2 , CO 2 , and CH 4 gas separation performance at 35 °C and 4 bar. The incorporation of ZIF-11 nanoparticles improved the gas permeation properties of the MMMs with an increase in ZIF-11 loading. As the ZIF-11 loading increased up to 20 wt.%, the permeability of H 2 and CO 2 increased to four times higher than that of the pure polymer. Moderate increase of CH 4 permeability was also recorded. At higher loadings above 20 wt.%, the permeability decreased for all gases and the CO 2 /CH 4 , and H 2 /CH 4 selectivities increased consistent with the ZIF-11 loading.