Gas separation in mixed matrix membranes based on polyurethane containing SiO2, ZSM-5, and ZIF-8 nanoparticles

•Mixed matrix membranes based on polyurethane incorporation with three different particles were fabricated.•PU/SiO2, ZSM-5, and ZIF-8 were characterized using DLS, SEM, and FTIR analyses.•Permeation of pure and mixed gas (CO2/CH4) were evaluated.•The gas separation performance of MMMs increased by ZIF-8 content.

In this study, inorganic silica nanoparticle, ZSM-5 and ZIF-8 were used as dispersed particles inside polyurethane matrix in order to separate two gases of carbon dioxide and methane. The distribution of suspension particle size in the solution is investigated by DLS, FTIR, and SEM. MMMs were subjected to permeability test both in pure and in mixed gases of methane and carbon dioxide. The prepared polyurethane/ZIF-8 membranes with a permeability of 74.6 barrer and selectivity 19.1 showed the best separation performance because of proper pore size and better compatibility between ZIF-8 with polyurethane.

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