Polymer composite membranes containing aniline were prepared for CO2/N2 separation. Aniline was selected for high separation performance as an additive containing both the benzene ring to interfere with gas transport and an amino group that could induce the accelerated transport of CO2 molecules. As a result, when aniline having both a benzene ring and an amino group was incorporated into polymer membranes, the selectivity was largely enhanced by the role of both gas barriers and CO2 carriers. Selective layers coated on the polysulfone were identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and the interaction with aniline in the polymer matrix was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The binding energy of oxygen in the polymer matrix was investigated by XPS, and the thermal stability of the composite membrane was confirmed by TGA.
Keywords: CO2; carrier; facilitated transport; separation.