Synthesis of 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) Propyl Methacrylate Functionalized Graphene Oxide Based Mixed Matrix Membrane and Its Application for O2/N2 Separation

Abstract

The incorporation of functionalized graphene oxide (GO) in mixed matrix membrane (MMM) is expected to greatly increase the permeability and selectivity for O2/N2 separation. In the present study, GO functionalized with 3- (Trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (TMOPMA) was used as inorganic filler and incorporated in to a PVC/pAMPS based MMM to increase the separation efficiency. Membranes of different compositions were synthesized and the best morphology was achieved with 0.5 g of PVC, 1.0 g of pAMPS and 0.015 g of filler. The synthesized membrane and inorganic filler were characterized using SEM, EDS, FTIR, Raman and XRD spectroscopy. Moreover, the gas permeation studies were performed to check the separation factor of synthesized membrane for O2/N2. The maximum permeability achieved for O2 and N2 was 4097 and 3373 barrers, respectively at 5 bar pressure. For the selectivity, a gradual increasing trend was observed with the increase in permeability. The maximum selectivity achieved was 1.215 at 5 bar pressure. The results revealed an increasing trend in selectivity with the increase in permeability of gases across the membrane with the increase in feed gas pressure.