Gas Permeation through Polysulfone-Polyl mide (PSF-PI) Miscible Blend Membrane

Gas permeation through polysulfone-polyimide (PSF-PI) miscible blend membranes were studied through the permeability of Carbon Dioxide (C02) and Methane (CH4) gas. The asymmetric polymer blend membranes were be fabricated with varying weight percentage ratios (100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20) of polysulfone and polyimide respectively, by a solution cast method or in other words, by wet phase inversion method. The solvents that will be used for the study are N-methyl Pyrrolidone (NMP) and Dichloromethane (DCM) and the membranes will be subjected to immersion in the Ethanol bath (EtOH). Apart from studying the effects of solvents to the membrane, cloud point determinations were also studied as gave a better view on the point where the dope solution phase separates. Different parameters during fabrication will produce different morphologies of the membranes, which includes the formation of microvoids, porosity, skin layer type and structure of the membrane. These were observed through the SEM Test, Scanning Electron Microscopy, where the photographs of the membrane on molecular level have been obtained. SEM gave a better insight on the membrane structure and homogeneity of the membrane casting solution. The permeability of CO2 and CH4 across the membrane will subject to the morphologies of the membranes produced from the research. The effects of varying parameters during the fabrication stage will affect the permeability and selectivity of CO2 across the membrane. The compatibility of the membranes was also studied in parallel with the cloud point determination mentioned earlier. For polymers, polymer blends may be in homogenous form or heterogeneous form. The homogeneity of the membranes were studied through the FTIR tests (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and UTM (Universal Testing Machine). The PSF-PI combination will show a homogeneous miscible blend, where this compatibility is essential in a new blend polymer material, suitable for the preparation of gas separation membranes. Such membranes will produce combined satisfactory gas permeation properties, reduced cost and advanced resistance (harsh to chemicals, significant temperature conditions, improved tolerance to plasticizing gases)