New permeation models for nanocomposite polymeric membranes filled with nonporous particles

In this article, permeation models for nanocomposite polymeric membranes (NCPMs) filled with nonporous particles are discussed and two new models for prediction of effective permeability of NCPMs are proposed. To derive these models, the presence of interfacial layer at the surface of the nanofiller particles as well as the impact of two important phenomena namely creating void volumes and increasing free volume at the interface layer are taken into account. The capability of the models for prediction of reliable results is checked against available experimental data on permeability of NCPMs and is also compared with other presented models for such membranes. The new proposed models show profound superiority over the well known models such as “Bruggeman model in limit” which offers fairly good prediction for NCPMs.

► We included voids formation and volume increase phenomena in our proposed models.
► For membranes without any interfacial layer phenomena, Bruggeman model is suitable.
► For membranes with voids formation phenomenon pseudo two phase model is more applicable.
► For membranes with void formation and increased free volume, pseudo three phase model is appropriate.
► At high nanoparticle loadings the proposed models show better predictions than any other available model.