丙烯/丙烷分离的ZIF-8膜研究进展

同碳数烯烃/烷烃的分离是目前石油化工行业中最耗能的过程之一,开发新型的、低能耗的丙烯/丙烷分离过程被认为是改变世界的七项化工分离技术之一。气体膜分离技术因其高效、节能和环境友好等优点被认为是一种可取代传统低温精馏分离丙烯/丙烷混合气体的新型技术。金属有机骨架材料ZIF-8的有效孔径介于丙烯和丙烷的分子动力学直径之间,可对丙烯/丙烷实现高效分离,是目前分离丙烯/丙烷性能最好的膜材料。本文系统总结了ZIF-8膜的制备方法及用于丙烯/丙烷高效分离的发展历程;探讨了ZIF-8膜微结构的调控,尤其是膜缺陷的修复及ZIF-8骨架柔性的控制;总结了ZIF-8膜在分离丙烯/丙烷时,过程参数对于分离性能的影响规律;并提出ZIF-8膜规模化制备及潜在工业分离丙烯/丙烷研究中存在的问题和未来发展方向。     

Enhanced compatibility and selectivity in mixed matrix membranes for propylene/propane separation

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) based on metal–organic framework (MOF) have great promising application in separation of gas mixtures. However, achieving a good interfacial compatibility between polymer and MOF is not straightforward. In this work, focusing on one of the most challenging olefin/paraffin separations: propylene/propane (C₃H₆/C₃H₈), we demonstrate that modification of the MOF filler via dopamine polymerization using a double solvent approach strongly improves interfacial compatibility. The resulting membranes show an outstanding separation performance and long-term stability with propylene permeability nearly 90 Barrer and propylene/propane selectivity close to 75. We anticipate that similar MOF modification strategies may help solve the problem of interface defects in the manufacture of MMMs and be extended to other porous fillers.     

用于CO2/CH4分离的cPIM-1/ZIF-8混合基质膜的制备

自聚微孔聚合物（PIM-1）虽具有良好的CO₂渗透性能,但其气体选择性普遍较差,限制其在CO₂/CH₄分离领域的应用。本文以N,N-二甲基甲酰胺（DMF）为溶剂制备ZIF-8纳米粒子,将其引入到羧基化的PIM-1基质中,制备了cPIM-1/ZIF-8混合基质膜,用于CO₂/CH₄分离。结果表明：由于合成ZIF-8的溶剂也是cPIM-1的良溶剂,使得两者之间具有良好的界面相容性,从而使ZIF-8添加量高达质量分数45%。随着ZIF-8添加量的增加,膜的CO₂渗透速率持续增加,CO₂/CH₄选择性呈现先上升后下降的趋势。当ZIF-8添加量为质量分数25%时,膜的CO₂/CH₄分离性能最好,即CO₂渗透系数为3942 Barrer,CO₂/CH₄选择性为18.7,较cPIM-1纯膜分别提高了 84%和43%,成功地超越了Robeson分离上限。     

ZnO诱导的Pd/Al2O3@ZIF-8核壳催化剂制备及其催化性能

利用同源氧化锌有利于ZIF-8结构的成核生长原理,采用粒径为1~2 mm 的负载型Pd/Al₂O₃微球作为核、ZIF-8膜作为外壳,ZnO诱导生长制备了Pd/Al₂O₃@ZIF-8核壳催化剂,用XRD、EDX、SEM、ICP等分析手段对其结构进行了表征,并采用不同大小分子烯烃加氢反应对其壳层连续完整性进行了性能测试。结果表明,Pd/Al₂O₃微球表面预先引入的ZnO纳米粒子层对外层连续ZIF-8膜壳层的形成,起到了很好的成核生长点和连接点的作用,诱导合成了连续完整的ZIF-8膜包覆的Pd/Al₂O₃@ZIF-8核壳结构材料,ZIF-8膜层的厚度可通过ZIF-8合成的次数进行调变。该Pd/Al₂O₃@ZIF-8核壳催化剂对不同分子大小的烯烃加氢反应表现出明显的筛分选择性,并对外加苯并噻唑作为毒物分子的反应体系具有良好的抗中毒性能和防催化活性金属Pd组分流失的功能。     

ZnO修饰的不锈钢网支撑体上ZIF-8膜的制备

ZIF-8因具有0.34 nm的孔道直径而被认为是最具应用前景的气体分离膜材料之一。不锈钢网（SSN）作为分离膜的支撑体具有价格低廉、易于裁剪、厚度薄等优点。采用水热法在SSN表面生长ZnO缓冲层,以ZnO修饰的SSN（ZnO/SSN）为支撑体制备ZIF-8膜。采用X射线衍射（XRD）和扫描电子显微镜（SEM）对合成的ZIF-8膜进行表征,并进行了气体渗透性能测试,结果表明,在ZnO颗粒修饰后的SSN支撑体上无需活化可制备出单一物相、无缺陷的ZIF-8膜;在室温（298 K）下,ZIF-8膜的H₂/CO₂、H₂/N₂、H₂/CH₄的理想分离系数分别为7.3、9.2、12.4;在150℃,ZIF-8膜的渗透性能稳定。     

Fast-current-driven synthesis of ultrathin ZIF-8 membrane on ceramic tube for propene/propane separation

MOF membranes are very promising in molecular separation, but it is still a challenge for industrial applications due to the complex and time-consuming synthesis. We use the fast current-driven synthesis (FCDS) method to achieve controlled growth of ZIF-8 membranes on porous graphite-coated ceramic tubes by controlling the growth time and current density. Grown for 30 min at a current density of 0.74 mA/cm², the ZIF-8 membrane exhibits selectivity for C₃H₆/C₃H₈ up to 63 with C₃H₆ permeance of 6 × 10⁻⁹ mol/(m² s Pa). Furthermore, the ZIF-8 membrane exhibits a pressure resistance of up to 3 bar and good stability of ~96 h. This work realizes the breakthrough of the MOF membrane synthesis via FCDS method from the frequently-used expensive and fragile anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) disc substrate to the tough ceramic tubular substrate, which broadens the road for the industrialization of MOF membranes in gas separation fields.     

Mechanochemically synthesized ZIF-8 nanoparticles blended into 6FDA-TrMPD membranes for C3H6/C3H8 separation

The mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) consisting zeolitic-imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles in a polymer have been of considerable interest in separation applications. The fillers used are mostly synthesized using the solvothermal method. In this study, the ZIF-8 nanoparticles were synthesized using a solvent-less and salt-free mechanochemical method and were added to 6FDA-TrMPD polyimide to prepare MMMs. The single gas permeation of C₃H₆ and C₃H₈ through the MMMs was investigated. The C₃H₆ permeability and C₃H₆/C₃H₈ ideal selectivity of a 20 wt% mechano-synthesized ZIF-8/6FDA-TrMPD MMM were 70% and 32% higher than those of the neat polymer membrane at 0.1 MPa and 308 K, respectively. The C₃H₆/C₃H₈ separation performance of the mechano-synthesized ZIF-8 MMM was similar to that of the conventional solvothermal-synthesized ZIF-8 MMM. This separation performance was in good agreement with the Maxwell model. Temperature and pressure dependence analyses confirmed that the mechano-synthesized ZIF-8 nanoparticles acted as molecular sieves in the MMMs for the C₃H₆ and C₃H₈ permeation.     

Fine-tuned,molecular-composite,organosilica membranes for highly efficient propylene/propane separation via suitable pore size

Fine-tuned, molecular-composite, organosilica membranes were fabricated via the co-condensation of organosilica precursors bis(triethoxysilyl)acetylene (BTESA) and bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene (BTESB). Fourier transform infrared and UV–vis spectra confirmed the co-condensation behaviors of BTESA and BTESB. The evolution of the network structure indicated that the incorporated BTESB decreased the membrane pore size, which was determined by a modified gas translation model according to the steric effect of the phenyl groups. The incorporation of BTESB to BTESA finely tuned the membrane structure and endowed the resultant composite membrane with improved separation properties. The BTESAB 9:1 membrane (molar ratio of BTESA/BTESB was 9:1) exhibited high C₃H₆ permeance at 4.5 × 10⁻⁸ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ and a C₃H₆/C₃H₈ permeance ratio of 33 at 50°C. One of the most important developments of this study involved clearly defining the relationship between membrane pore size and C₃H₆/C₃H₈ separation performance for organosilica membranes in single and binary separation systems.     

Facile preparation of Cu(I) impregnated MIL‐101(Cr) and its use in a mixed matrix membrane for olefin/paraffin separation

Cu(I) impregnated MIL‐100(Cr) [denoted Cu@MIL‐101(Cr)] is fabricated by a facile method and utilized in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for propylene/propane separation. Cu(I) is prepared from a CuCl₂ solution via mild reduction process using sodium sulfite as the reducing agent. The filler is incorporated into a polystyrene‐b‐polybutadiene‐b‐polystyrene (SBS) block copolymer matrix to form MMMs. As a result, both the permeability and selectivity of propylene/propane are improved after Cu(I) impregnation. The best performance is obtained for SBS/Cu@MIL‐101(Cr) MMM, and these values represent 17% and 54% improvements compared to those of SBS/MIL‐101(Cr) MMM, respectively. This result is attributed to the π‐complexation of the loaded Cu(I) by propylene gas, indicating that Cu@MIL‐101(Cr) with internal Cu(I) and a high pore volume acted as an effective filler to aid propylene/propane separation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46545.     

Highly scalable ZIF‐based mixed‐matrix hollow fiber membranes for advanced hydrocarbon separations

ZIF‐8/6FDA‐DAM, a proven mixed‐matrix material that demonstrated remarkably enhanced C₃H₆/C₃H₈ selectivity in dense film geometry, was extended to scalable hollow fiber geometry in the current work. We successfully formed dual‐layer ZIF‐8/6FDA‐DAM mixed‐matrix hollow fiber membranes with ZIF‐8 nanoparticle loading up to 30 wt % using the conventional dry‐jet/wet‐quench fiber spinning technique. The mixed‐matrix hollow fibers showed significantly enhanced C₃H₆/C₃H₈ selectivity that was consistent with mixed‐matrix dense films. Critical variables controlling successful formation of mixed‐matrix hollow fiber membranes with desirable morphology and attractive transport properties were discussed. Furthermore, the effects of coating materials on selectivity recovery of partially defective fibers were investigated. To our best knowledge, this is the first article reporting successful formation of high‐loading mixed‐matrix hollow fiber membranes with significantly enhanced selectivity for separation of condensable olefin/paraffin mixtures. Therefore, it represents a major step in the research area of advanced mixed‐matrix membranes. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 2625–2635, 2014     

二次生长法制备ZIF-8膜及其对CO2/N2的分离性能

采用二次生长法在α-Al₂O₃载体上制备超薄型ZIF-8膜,研究了多种轻分子气体以及混合气体CO₂/N₂的渗透分离性能。通过SEM和XRD表征了ZIF-8晶种层的晶种涂布状态,以及ZIF-8晶体膜的生长覆盖度和晶膜厚度。研究结果表明：采用低浓度的晶种悬浮液通过浸润式连续多次涂布法,有利于获得晶种层厚度均匀且覆盖度高的超薄均匀ZIF-8晶种层,经过二次生长后所得ZIF-8膜的覆盖度高、厚度均匀且较薄,仅约为8.8 μm;在所测试范围内的CO₂/N₂混合气体中,此ZIF-8膜对CO₂具有优先选择透过性,其对CO₂/N₂的渗透分离因子随温度的升高而降低,随渗透压力的增加而增加,在298 K、406 kPa和CO₂组分含量为50%时,该分离因子能达到6,显著超过Knudsen扩散的分离系数。     

Recovery of free volume in PIM-1 membranes through alcohol vapor treatment

Physical aging is currently a major obstacle for the commercialization of PIM-1 membranes for gas separation applications. A well-known approach to reversing physical aging effects of PIM-1 membranes at laboratory scale is soaking them in lower alcohols, such as methanol and ethanol. However, this procedure does not seem applicable at industrial level, and other strategies must be investigated. In this work, a regeneration method with alcohol vapors (ethanol or methanol) was developed to recover permeability of aged PIM-1 membranes, in comparison with the conventional soaking-in-liquid approach. The gas permeability and separation performance, before and post the regeneration methods, were assessed using a binary mixture of CO₂ and CH₄ (1:1, v:v). Our results show that an 8-hour methanol vapor treatment was sufficient to recover the original gas permeability, reaching a CO₂ permeability>7000 barrer.     

Partial pore blockage and polymer chain rigidification phenomena in PEO/ZIF-8 mixed matrix membranes synthesized by in situ polymerization

Nanostructured zeolitic imidazolate frameworks(ZIF-8) was incorporated into the mixture of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate(PEGMEA) and pentaerythritol triacrylate(PETA) to synthesize mixed matrix membranes(MMMs) by in situ polymerization for CO_2/CH_4 separation. The solvent-free polymerization between PEGMEA and PETA was induced by UV light with 1-hydroxylcyclohexyl phenyl ketone as initiator. The chemical structural characterization was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscope. The average chain-to-chain distance of the polymer chains in MMMs was investigated by X-ray diffraction. The thermal property was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry. The CH_4 and CO_2 gas transport properties of MMMs are reported. The relationship between gas permeation–separation performances or physical properties and ZIF-8 loading is also discussed. However, the permeation–separation performance was not improved in Robeson upper bound plot compared with original polymer membrane as predicted. The significant partial pore blockage and polymer rigidification effect around the ZIFs confirmed by the increase in glass temperature and the decrease in the d-spacing, were mainly responsible for the failure in performance improvement, which offset the high diffusion induced by porous ZIF-8.     

Oxygen/nitrogen transport in ionomer composite membranes containing a cobalt Schiff base complex

Different amounts of (N,N′‐disalicylideneethylenediamin)cobalt (CoS) were blended to a cobalt (II)‐neutralized sulfonated EPDM (Co^(II)‐S‐EPDM) ionomer membrane to enhance its oxygen‐enriching ability. Various influence factors on permeabilities and selectivities of the composite membranes, such as the gas pressure difference, the CoS content, and the testing temperature have been investigated. Oxygen permeability coefficients (P) and oxygen/nitrogen separation factors (α) increased simultaneously by decreasing the gas pressure difference or by increasing the CoS content. In comparison with the EPDM matrix, P and α of Co^(II)‐S‐EPDM–CoS (85/15) composite membrane increased from 11.0 Barrer and 4.38 to 37.0 Barrer and 9.60. Obvious enhancement in the oxygen‐enriching property shows that the dual actions of cobaltous ion crosslinking and addition of an abundant cobalt complex may be an effective way to improve a rubbery polymer membrane. As high as 15 wt % of the CoS could be blended. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1071–1077, 1999     

An atomistic simulation towards molecular design of silica polymorphs nanoparticles in polysulfone based mixed matrix membranes for CO2/CH4 gas separation

Incorporation of inorganic fillers into Polysulfone (PSF) to constitute mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) has become a viable solution to prevail over limitations of the pristine materials in natural gas sweetening process. Nevertheless, preparation of MMMs without defects and empirical investigation of membrane that exhibits characteristic of improved CO₂/CH₄ separation performance at experimental scale are difficult that require prior knowledge on compatibility between the filler and polymer. A computational framework has been conducted to construct validated PSF based MMMs using silica (SiO₂) as inorganic fillers. It is known that nanosized SiO₂ can coexist in varying polymorph configurations (ie, α-Quartz, α-Cristobalite, α-Tridymite) but molecular simulation study of SiO₂ polymorphs to form MMMs is limited. Therefore, this work is a pioneering study to elucidate feasibility in facile utilization of polymorphs to improve gas separation performance of MMMs. Physical properties and gas transport behavior of the simulated PSF based MMMs with different SiO₂ polymorphs and loadings have been elucidated. The optimal MMM has been found to be PSF/25 wt% α-Cristobalite at 55°C. The success in molecular simulation has shed light on how computational tools can provide understandings at molecular level to elucidate compatibility between varying pristine materials to MMMs for natural gas processing.