Process Parametric Investigation of Graphene-Oxide-Embedded Composite Membranes for Boosting CO2/N2 Separationv

TY - JOUR

T1 - Process Parametric Investigation of Graphene-Oxide-Embedded Composite Membranes for Boosting CO2/N2 Separationv

AU - Chen, Danlin

AU - Li, Longjie

AU - Semiat, Raphael

AU - He, Xuezhong

PY - 2023/7/19

Y1 - 2023/7/19

N2 - Membrane technology for carbon capture has been favored to mitigate climate change attributed to the greenhouse effect in recent years. The implementation of composite membranes with a selective layer made from CO2-selective polymers and nanofillers is gaining particular interest for efficient CO2 capture, with the benefits of easy processability, cost-effectiveness, and excellent separation performance. Graphene oxide (GO) with abundant oxygen-containing functional groups exhibits tremendous potential for enhancing mechanical and transport properties when incorporated into the polymeric matrix. Herein, a GO-reinforced polyacrylamide/poly(vinyl alcohol)/polysulfone (PAM/PVA/PSf) composite membrane was developed with a focus on improving the CO2/N2 separation performance. The membrane performance was tested with mixed gas (10/90 vol % CO2/N2) under humidified conditions. The effects of the preparation parameters (e.g., GO content and pH of the casting solution) and the operating parameters (e.g., feed flow rate, feed pressure, temperature, and relative humidity) were systematically investigated and further optimized to identify the optimal condition for post-combustion carbon capture. The best membrane performance with a CO2/N2 selectivity of 65 and a CO2 permeance of 55 gas permeance units (GPU) at 2 bar and 30 °C was documented in this study. The development of CO2-selective composite membranes may address the challenges associated with the upscaling of membrane technology for potential industrial carbon capture.

AB - Membrane technology for carbon capture has been favored to mitigate climate change attributed to the greenhouse effect in recent years. The implementation of composite membranes with a selective layer made from CO2-selective polymers and nanofillers is gaining particular interest for efficient CO2 capture, with the benefits of easy processability, cost-effectiveness, and excellent separation performance. Graphene oxide (GO) with abundant oxygen-containing functional groups exhibits tremendous potential for enhancing mechanical and transport properties when incorporated into the polymeric matrix. Herein, a GO-reinforced polyacrylamide/poly(vinyl alcohol)/polysulfone (PAM/PVA/PSf) composite membrane was developed with a focus on improving the CO2/N2 separation performance. The membrane performance was tested with mixed gas (10/90 vol % CO2/N2) under humidified conditions. The effects of the preparation parameters (e.g., GO content and pH of the casting solution) and the operating parameters (e.g., feed flow rate, feed pressure, temperature, and relative humidity) were systematically investigated and further optimized to identify the optimal condition for post-combustion carbon capture. The best membrane performance with a CO2/N2 selectivity of 65 and a CO2 permeance of 55 gas permeance units (GPU) at 2 bar and 30 °C was documented in this study. The development of CO2-selective composite membranes may address the challenges associated with the upscaling of membrane technology for potential industrial carbon capture.

M3 - Article

SN - 0887-0624

JO - Energy & Fuels

JF - Energy & Fuels

M1 - 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.3c01927

ER -