High performance ZIF-8/PBI nano-composite membranes for high temperature hydrogen separation consisting of carbon monoxide and water vapor

Two types of advanced nano-composite materials have been formed by incorporating as-synthesized wet-state zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF-8) nano-particles into a polybenzimidazole (PBI) polymer. The loadings of ZIF-8 particles in the two membranes (i.e., 30/70 (w/w) ZIF-8/PBI and 60/40 (w/w) ZIF-8/PBI) are 38.2 vol % and 63.6 vol %, respectively. Due to different ZIF-8 loadings, variations in particle dispersion, membrane morphology and gas separation properties are observed. Gas permeation results suggest that intercalation occurs when the ZIF-8 loading reaches 63.6 vol %. The incorporation of ZIF-8 particles significantly enhances both solubility and diffusion coefficients but the enhancement in diffusion coefficient is much greater. Mixed gas tests for H2/CO2 separation were conducted from 35 to 230 °C, and both membranes exhibit remarkably high H2 permeability and H2/CO2 selectivity. The 30/70 (w/w) ZIF-8/PBI membrane has an H2/CO2 selectivity of 26.3 with an H2 permeability of 470.5 Barrer, while the 60/40 (w/w) ZIF-8/PBI membrane has an H2/CO2 selectivity of 12.3 with an H2 permeability of 2014.8 Barrer. Mixed gas data show that the presence of CO or water vapor impurity in the feed gas stream does not significantly influence the membrane performance at 230 °C. Thus, the newly developed H2-selective membranes may have bright prospects for hydrogen purification and CO2 capture in realistic industrial applications such as syngas processing, integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant and hydrogen recovery.

► The membranes show high thermal and separation stability under harsh conditions.
► Intercalation phenomenon occurs when the ZIF-8 loading reaches 63.6 vol %.
► Both solubility and diffusion coefficients are promoted by adding ZIF-8 particles.
► The membranes show remarkable H2 permeability and H2/CO2 selectivity at 230 °C.
► Impurities such as CO and H2O have insignificant impact on the separation performance.