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CeO2-Blended Cellulose Triacetate Mixed-Matrix Membranes for Selective CO2 Separation
Chhabilal Regmi1, Saeed Ashtiani1, Zdeněk Sofer2
1Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, 16628 Prague, Czech Republic.
Membranes
|August 26, 2021
Summary
Mixed-matrix membranes combining cellulose triacetate (CTA) and ceria (CeO2) nanoparticles were developed for efficient carbon dioxide (CO2) separation. The optimal 0.64 wt.% CeO2 loading significantly enhanced CO2 permeability and selectivity in flue gas applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Developing advanced materials for efficient gas separation is crucial for environmental remediation and resource recovery.
- Mixed-matrix membranes offer a promising approach by combining the properties of polymers and inorganic fillers.
- Ceria (CeO2) nanoparticles exhibit high affinity for carbon dioxide (CO2), while cellulose triacetate (CTA) provides favorable mechanical and thermal properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize mixed-matrix membranes composed of cellulose triacetate (CTA) and ceria (CeO2) nanoparticles.
- To investigate the effect of CeO2 nanoparticle loading on the gas sorption, permeation, and selectivity properties of CTA membranes.
- To evaluate the potential of these CTA-CeO2 membranes for carbon dioxide (CO2) separation in flue gas and biogas applications.
Main Methods:
- Solution-casting method for fabricating CTA-CeO2 mixed-matrix membranes with varying CeO2 concentrations (0.32, 0.64, 0.9 wt.%).
- Physico-chemical characterization using SEM-EDS, XRD, FTIR, TGA, DSC, and strain-stress analysis.
- Gas sorption and permeation studies using single gases to assess affinity and separation performance.
Main Results:
- CTA-CeO2 membranes exhibited enhanced CO2 affinity and permeability compared to pristine CTA.
- The membrane with 0.64 wt.% CeO2 showed a threefold increase in CO2 permeability and high CO2 sorption.
- CeO2 nanoparticle aggregation at 0.9 wt.% led to reduced gas permeability, highlighting the importance of homogenous filler distribution.
- Gas selectivity followed the order CO2/CH4 > CO2/N2 > O2/N2 > H2/CO2.
Conclusions:
- Mixed-matrix CTA-CeO2 membranes demonstrate significant potential for CO2 separation due to enhanced CO2 affinity and permeability.
- The optimal loading of 0.64 wt.% CeO2 provides a balance between filler dispersion and performance enhancement.
- These membranes are promising candidates for CO2 capture from flue gas and biogas upgrading applications.
