On the subtle balance between competitive sorption and plasticization effects in asymmetric hollow fiber gas separation membranes

More pronounced indication of plasticization effects is observed when the N2 permeance decay is followed in time after the membrane has been in contact with CO2 at elevated CO2 partial pressures. A significant enhanced N2 permeance is observed due to polymer network dilation, which decreases very slowly in time. There seems to be a subtle balance between plasticization and competitive sorption during mixed gas experiments with integrally skinned asymmetric hollow fibers, which results in the observed phenomenon.