(679a) Mixed Matrix Membrane Based On Room Temperature Ionic Liquid for Gas Separation

Polymerizable ionic liquids (poly (RTILs)) ? ionic liquids (RTILs) composite membranes were previously fabricated, and their gas transport were investigated. The addition of 20 mol % of RTILs in poly (RTILs) membrane increases the CO2, CH4, and N2 permeability of the composite membrane due to more rapid gas diffusion in the RTILs 1, 2. However, the presence of RTILs decreases the CO2/CH4 selectivity. On the contrary, previous studies have shown that mixed matrix membranes consisting of polymeric matrix and dispersed inorganic particles have the potential for outstanding separation properties, but some challenges such as a good adherence at the inorganic/organic interface still remain uncertain.

In our current study, we have successfully fabricated supported ionic liquid ? zeolite membrane and showed an improvement in selectivity in comparison to neat supported ionic liquid membrane (SILM). The addition of only 10 wt. % of SAPO-34 particles increases the CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 selectivity by 69% and 65% respectively. Moreover, we have also fabricated a three component membrane that is composed by poly (RTIL) ? RTIL ? and zeolite materials without the presence of additional solvent. We showed that addition of 10 wt. % SAPO-34 increases CO2 permeability 63%, and CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 selectivity by 11%. We hypothesize that the presence of RTILs can serve as a ?wetting? media to better facilitate a good adhesion between zeolite and poly (RTIL) interface.

In this study, we extend our study to investigate the effect of anion of RTILs and their interaction with zeolite particles on gas separation performances. We will also analyze how the RTILs anion will affect the adhesion between poly (RTIL) and zeolite particle, and improve gas separation performances.

1. Bara, J. E.; Gin, D. L.; Noble, R. D., Effect of Anion on Gas Separation Performance of Polymer-Room-Temperature Ionic Liquid Composite Membranes. Ind Eng Chem Res 2008, 47, (24), 9919-9924.

2. Bara, J. E.; Hatakeyama, E. S.; Gin, D. L.; Noble, R. D., Improving CO2 permeability in polymerized room-temperature ionic liquid gas separation membranes through the formation of a solid composite with a room-temperature ionic liquid. Polym Advan Technol 2008, 19, (10), 1415-1420