Zr-Based Metal-Organic Framework UiO-66/Ultem® 1000 Membranes for Effective CO2/H2 Separation

Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) using UiO-66 nanofillers as dispersing inorganic phase and polyetherimide (PEI) as continuous polymeric matrix were synthesized. Different UiO-66 loadings of 10, 20, and 30 wt % were applied. The morphology and UiO-66 dispersion over the prepared MMMs were examined. Gas separation measurements were performed for H-2/CO2 gas mixture to evaluate the influence of UiO-66 on the separation yield of resulting membranes. When compared with pristine PEI membranes, MMMs containing metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles revealed superior H-2 permeability and H-2/CO2 separation factor, e.g., maximum permeability values of 14.6 and 5.5 Barrer were observed for H-2 and CO2 at a filler loading of 10 wt % and an applied pressure of 4.0 bar.