(697a) Custom Formulation of Ultra-High Permeability Mixed-Matrix Membranes for Post-Combustion Carbon Capture

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) have great potential for separation applications including post-combustion carbon capture. To reduce the cost of capture and make them economically viable, new formulations with ultra-high permeability and moderate selectivity must be identified. Here, we present a bottom-up design of MMMs wherein the constituent materials have been designed for high gas separation performance and compatibility. MOF nanoparticles and polymers are decorated by desired functional groups that can chemically interact with each other to form defect free MMMs. The custom formulation of MMMs is important in scale-up production for practical applications. Successful formulation requires a blend of art and science. Here, two, three or four-components, were chosen for their compatibility, where each component has a different function and all are formulated with specific quantities to fine-tune the physicochemical properties for defect free custom-formulated mixed-matrix membranes (CF-MMMs). PIM-1 and MEEP80 were combined with various MOF nanoparticles with different surface areas, pore sizes, and binding sites to conduct a parametric analysis of ten different membranes (CF-MMM-1 to CF-MMMs-10). The chemical interaction between the MOF nanoparticles and the polymer was the key facet for optimizing the interfacial compatibility between the polymer matrices and MOF fillers. Systematic variation of the compositions of these components and the type of MOF nanoparticles were performed to optimize the membrane separation performance affording enhanced CO2 permeability (4200-25670 barrer) and CO2/N2 selectivity (17-34) compared with the neat polymers. The permeability/selectivity values surpass Robeson upper bound and suggest the potential of these membranes for practical CO2 separations. The scaling-up of these membranes were performed by preparing their components in a kilogram-scale, while their precise formulation allows technical feasibility of CF-MMMs fabrication.