(384b) Reverse Selectivity in Poly Dimethyl Siloxane/Au Nanocomposite Membrane in Co2/Ch4 Separation

A novel nanocomposite membrane, poly dimethyl siloxane (PDMS)/Au was prepared for CO2/CH4 separation. Synthesis route of stabilized nano particle are reported, and their presence are characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Micrograph (TEM). The hybrid membrane is characterized morphologically by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the change in inter-segmental distance due to filler loading by wide angle X-ray diffraction patterns (WAXD). The structure of capping agent on Au nanoparticles and its surface chemistry enables dispersion in PDMS matrix were analyzed using FTIR, XPS, EDX, TGA and DSC. The gas transport properties are investigated by single gas permeation and sorption experiments at different pressures and temperatures. The effect of filler loading on permselectivity, diffusivity selectivity and solubility selectivity is reported for CO2/CH4 separation.

The kinetic diameter of penetrant molecules used in the gas permeation study are of the order CO2 (3.3 Å)