Preparation and characterisation of polysulfone membrane impregnated with carbon nanotubes for gas separation

• Main Author: Heah, Hwee Keat
• Other Authors: Lua Aik Chong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/64577
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Polysulfone (PSF) has been one of the preferred choices of polymer to form polymeric membranes due to its high durability and strength. In recent years, carbon nanotube (CNT) has been gaining popularity due to its high strength and special properties. Hence, this report studied the effects of CNT on the performance of the membrane. The membrane was fabricated with CNTs impregnated into it. The results of the experiment showed that with the CNTs impregnated into the membrane, the permeability of the membrane increased significantly. Higher concentration of CNTs would mean greater increase in the permeability of the membrane. However, with the increase in CNTs impregnated within the membrane, the selectivity of the membrane for CO2/N2 was reduced. The possible explanation to this result would be that the CNTs formed many passages within the membrane. These passages allowed the gas molecules to pass through the membrane faster as they did not pose any obstruction. lthough the addition of CNTs increased the permeability of the membrane, the selectivity decreased. This is a trade-off for the membrane.