Adsorption of carbon dioxide in plasma polymers prepared from silicon compounds and carbon dioxide separation membrane

Summary Three silicon compounds, dimethyldimethoxysilane (DMDMOS), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (DMCPS), and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane (TMDSO), were plasma-polymerized, and the solubility coefficient and the permeation coefficient of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas were determined. The permeation properties of the deposited films were discussed. The plasma polymers formed from DMDMOS, DMCPS, and TMDSO showed preferential solubility for carbon dioxide. The solubility coefficient of carbon dioxide was closely related to the concentration of Si-(O-)₄ moieties in the plasma polymers. However, these plasma polymers showed no selective permeation of carbon dioxide. The diffusion process rather than the solution process controlled the permeation of carbon dioxide across the plasma polymers. Plasma polymers formed from silicon compounds, if the polymers are less cross-linked, are expected to be a good material for CO₂-selective membrane.