A high CO2 permselective mesoporous silica/carbon composite membrane for CO2 separation

Ordered mesoporous silica/carbon composite membranes with a high CO2 permeability and selectivity were designed and prepared by incorporating SBA-15 or MCM-48 particles into polymeric precursors followed by heat treatment. The as-made composite membranes were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N2 adsorption, of which the gas separation performance in terms of gas permeability and selectivity were evaluated using the single gas (CO2, N2, CH4) and gas mixtures (CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4, 50/50 mol.%). In comparison to the pure carbon membranes and microporous zeolite/C composite membranes, the as-made mesoporous silica/C composite membranes, and the MCM-48/C composite membrane in particular, exhibit an outstanding CO2 gas permeability and selectivity for the separation of CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 gas pairs owing to the smaller gas diffusive resistance through the membrane and additional gas permeation channels created by the incorporation of mesoporous silicas in carbon membrane matrix. The channel shape and dimension of mesoporous silicas are key parameters for governing the gas permeability of the as-made composite membranes. The gas separation mechanism and the functions of porous materials incorporated inside the composite membranes are addressed.