Improvement of H2/CH4Separation Performance of PES Hollow Fiber Membranes by Addition of MWCNTs into Polymeric Matrix

Carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were added to polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes to improve their H2/CH4 separation properties. The addition of MWCNTs up to 1 wt% increased macrovoids formation in cross-section, while in 2 wt% loading, decreased due to increase in dope viscosity. The best gas separation performance for the mixed-matrix hollow fiber membranes was achieved at 1 wt% MWCNTs loading with hydrogen permeance of 69 GPU and H2/CH4 selectivity of 44.1 at 5 bar(g). Tensile test results showed that incorporation of MWCNTs into the polymeric matrix affected the mechanical properties of the fabricated membranes.