Functionalized organic filler based integrated membranes for environmental remediation

Alisha Tariq; Abdul Rehman Khurram; Sikander Rafiq; Tanveer Iqbal; Asif Jamil; Sidra Saqib; Ahmad Mukhtar; Nawshad Muhammad; Asim Laeeq Khan; Mian Hasnain Nawaz; Farrukh Jamil; Muhammad Bilal Khan Niazi; Saif-Ur-Rehman; Ali Raza Afzal; Shafiq Uz Zaman

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135073

Functionalized organic filler based integrated membranes for environmental remediation

Chemosphere. 2022 Sep;303(Pt 2):135073. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135073. Epub 2022 May 26.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical, Polymer & Composite Materials Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, New Campus, Pakistan.
² Department of Chemical, Polymer & Composite Materials Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, New Campus, Pakistan; Department of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, New Campus, Pakistan. Electronic address: sikanderafiq@gmail.com.
³ Department of Chemical Engineering, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Defense Road, Punjab, 54000, Pakistan.
⁴ Department of Chemical Engineering, NFC Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
⁵ Department of Dental Materials, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan.
⁶ Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM), COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Defense Road, Punjab, 54000, Pakistan.
⁷ School of Chemical and Material Engineering, National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.
⁸ Department of Mechanical, Mechatronics and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, New Campus, Pakistan.
⁹ Department of Chemical Engineering, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Topi, KPK, Pakistan.

PMID: 35644232
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135073

Abstract

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) are synthesized for efficient CO₂ separation released from various anthropogenic sources, which are due to global environmental concerns. The synergetic effect of porous nitrogen-rich, CO₂-philic filler and polymer in mixed matrix-based membranes (MMMs) can separate CO₂ competent. The development of various loadings of porphyrin poly(N-isopropyl Acryl Amide) (P-NIPAM)as functionalized organic fillers (5-20%) in polysulfone (PSU) through solution casting is carried out followed by the various characterizations including field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer(FT-IR) analysis and pure and mixed gas permeations ranging from 2 to 10 bar feed pressure. Due to both organic species interactions in the matrix, well-distributed fillers and homogenous surfaces, and cross-sectional structures were observed due to π-π interactions and Lewis's basic functionalities. The strong affinity of porous nitrogen-rich and CO₂-philic fillers through gas permeation analysis showed high CO₂/CH₄ and CO₂/N₂ gas performance that surpassed Robeson's upper bound limit. Comparatively, MMMs showed improved CO₂/CH₄ permeabilities from 87.5 ± 0.5 Barrer to 88.2 ± 0.9 Barrer than pure polymer matrix. For CO₂/N₂, CO₂ permeabilities improved to 75 ± 0.8 Barrer than pure polymer matrix. For both gas pairs (CO₂/CH₄, CO₂/N₂), respective pureselectivities (84%; 86%) and binary selectivities (85% and 85%)were improved. Various theoretical gas permeation models were used to predict CO₂ permeabilities for MMMs from which the modified Maxwell-Wagner-Sillar model showed the least AARE% of 0.87. The results showed promising results for efficient CO₂ separation due to exceptional functionalized P-PNIPAM affinitive properties. Finally, cost analysis reflected the inflated cost of membranes production for industrial setup using indigenous resources.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide; MWS model; Mixed matrix membranes; P-PNIPAM; Performance.

MeSH terms

Carbon Dioxide*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Environmental Restoration and Remediation*
Excipients
Nitrogen
Polymers
Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Substances

Excipients
Polymers
Carbon Dioxide
Nitrogen