Theoretical Models for prediction of Gas Separation in Mixed Matrix Membranes: Effect of Interfacial Voids

The membrane technology has experimentally and theoretically attracted much attention by researchers as a way to reduce the increasing emission of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere due to the high competitiveness in separation performance and economics. In this work, the modified Maxwell model and modified Lewis-Nielsen model are developed to predict the experimental gas separation performance of polyimide/silica nanoparticles and polysulfone/silica nanoparticles mixed matrix membranes. The developed modified models consider the crucial role of interfacial voids between inorganic nanoparticles and the polymer matrix. The prediction accuracy of developed models is evaluated and compared with that of conventional models such as the Maxwell model, Bruggeman model, Lewis-Nielsen model and Pal model. The modified Maxwell model, developed in this work, considering the role of interfacial voids, can accurately predict the experimental gas permeability data of MMMs with error values lower than 6%. However, the error is obtained around 30% for conventional models.