Samira Mosleh - Chemical Engineering Dept., University of Kashan., Kashan,Iran
Mahmood Hemmati - Polymer Science and Technology Division, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), Tehran, Iran
Ghader Khanbabaei - Polymer Science and Technology Division, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), Tehran, Iran
M. Reza Mozdianfard - Chemical Engineering Dept., University of Kashan., Kashan,Iran

Polymer blending is a multipurpose technique available for associating beneficial properties of two or more components in a single one. This study reports on several polymer blend membranes fabricated for improving separation of CO2/CH4 gas pair using commercially available polyamideb- ethylene oxide (Pebax®1657) and Matrimid 5218 polymers in the presence of dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) as solvent. These membranes were prepared by solution-casting method in a clear and homogeneous film form. The prepared pristine and alloyed ebax®1657/Matrimid 5218 membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Effect of different wt.% loading Matrimid (10-40 wt.%) in Pebax® matrix on membrane performances were also studied. Investigating gas transport properties of these blend membranes indicated their improved selectivity compared to those of the pristine Pebax®1657, be it with less permeabilities. For instance, at 10 wt.% loading Matrimid in Pebax® matrix, CO2/CH4 selectivity was enhanced by about 65% while permeability declined by about 22%.

Gas separation, polymer blend membrane, Pebax®, Matrimid