Synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of PES/EDA‐functionalized TiO₂ mixed matrix membranes for CO₂/CH₄ separation

Poor adhesion between hydrophobic polymers and hydrophilic inorganic fillers is a challenge that encumbers a high separation performance of mixed matrix membrane (MMM). In this study, Titanium(IV) oxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles were functionalized using ethylenediamine (EDA) before embedment in poly(ether sulfone) (PES) polymer matrix. MMMs were synthesized through dry phase inversion technique. Membranes morphology and nanoparticles dispersion was drastically enhanced posterior amine modification indicating an improved adhesion between the polymer and filler particles. Membranes thermal stability was likewise improved as higher degradation temperatures were perceived for PES/EDA–TiO 2 MMMs. Gas separation evaluation for pure carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and methane (CH 4 ) gases revealed a remarkably enhanced separation performance upon amine‐grafting of TiO 2 as EDA‐TiO 2 MMMs exhibited a higher separation performance as compared to MMMs with pristine TiO 2 . The highest ideal separation factor achieved was 41.52 with CO 2 permeability of 10.11 Barrer at an optimum loading of 5% wt of EDA‐TiO 2 which is threefold higher as compared to neat PES membrane and approximately twofold higher than MMMs with pristine TiO 2 , respectively, at the same filler loading.