Preparation of heat-treated PAN/SiO2 hybrid hollow fiber membrane contactor for acetylene absorption

• The solvent-resistant PAN/SiO2 hybrid hollow fiber membranes were prepared.
• SiO2 were introduced to manipulate the structure of membrane.
• Heat-treated hybrid membranes showed satisfied acetylene absorption performance.

The heat-treated PAN/SiO2 hybrid membranes were prepared through combining organic/inorganic blend and heat treatment methods for acetylene absorption process. The effect of SiO2 contents (0.5, 1, 2 and 3 wt%), heat treatment temperature on the membrane morphology, structure and performance were investigated. The as-prepared membranes were characterized by FTIR, SEM, gas permeation test, hydrophobicity and mechanical stability. The results showed that the hybrid membranes had higher gas permeation properties due to their high pore sizes, porosities and thin skin layer. The membranes were further investigated as a membrane contactor for acetylene absorption using 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) as absorbent. The acetylene absorption performance increased with increasing SiO2 loading, and the acetylene mass transfer flux and absorption efficiency of the hybrid membrane contain 1 wt% SiO2 were about 101% and 107% higher than the plain membrane at the same operating conditions, respectively.