Gas Permeability Properties of Polysulfone Membranes Containing the Mesoporous Molecular Sieve MCM-41

In this study, we have explored the first use of the siliceous MCM-41 molecular sieve as an additive to enhance the gas permeability characteristics of a high-performance polysulfone. For all gases tested (N 2, O 2, CO 2, CH 4 ), the permeability increased in proportion to the weight percent of MCM-41 present in the film. At the same time, calculated ideal selectivities remained almost constant irrespective of MCM-41 loading. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, supported by molecular mechanics calculations, revealed hydrogen-bonding interactions between polysulfone and MCM-41. The increase in permeability, without a loss in selectivity, which is not observed with dense silica or zeolites, suggests that using a mesoporous molecular sieve as the adsorbent additive enhances contact and penetration of the polymer.