Effect of Titanosilicate Mineral Natisite on Gas Transport Properties of Copolyimide P84

Abstract

The development of membrane processes requires new materials for the fabrication of highly efficient membranes. In this work, a composite based on copolyimide P84 with a novel modifier, the titanosilicate mineral natisite, used an additive has been created. For this purpose, natisite has been synthesized and identified. The composite P84/natisite (5 wt %) prepared in a DMF solution was used to obtain a flat film membrane. The physicochemical, mechanical, and gas transport properties of the P84/natisite membrane were studied in comparison with the P84 membrane. The transport properties were evaluated by the permeability of the membranes to He, O₂, N₂, and CO₂. The gas permeability through the membranes made of the composite is lower than that of the pure P84 membrane, and the H₂/N₂, CO₂/N₂, and O₂/N₂ selectivities are improved by including the modifier natisite. It is shown that the presence of 5 wt % natisite does not significantly alter the mechanical properties of the P84/natisite (5%) membrane, which meet the performance requirements.