Fabrication and Characterization of MOF-Doped Composite Polyvinyl Alcohol Membrane and Investigation of Its Potential for Carbon Dioxide Separation from Flue Gas

The objective of this work was to prepare glassy polymeric membranes for the purpose of separating carbon dioxide from flue gas mixtures and to conduct gas separation experiments using these membranes. Metal organic framework (MOF) was added to the membranes to improve their ability to select carbon dioxide, thereby enhancing the strength of the membrane and gas separation performance. Therefore, MIL 140B was synthesized, composite polyvinyl alcohol membranes were prepared, characterized and tested for carbon dioxide nitrogen removal. Increasing MIL 140B content significantly increased the tensile strength and mechanical strength. However, a significant decrease in mechanical strength was observed at 4 wt.% of filler doped membrane. In gas separation studies, first single gas and then mixed gas tests were performed. In both cases, MIL 140B additive increased both carbon dioxide selectivity and permeability. MIL 140B ratio increased from 0 wt.% to 4 wt.%, CO$_2$ permeability increased from 92 Barrer to 179 Barrer and selectivity increased from 41.4 to 58.7.