Facilitated propylene transport in mixed matrix membranes containing
ZIF-8@Agmim core-shell hybrid material
Abstract
The ZIF-8@Agmim core-shell hybrid material was synthesized via a
favorable post-modification method of ion exchange (PMIE). This
infrequent ZIF-8@Agmim core-shell structure maintains a well- integrated
pore size that is almost the same as ZIF-8. The similar equilibrium
isotherms with ZIF-8 and better kinetic separation towards
propylene/propane than ZIF-8 render ZIF-8@Agmim to be an interesting
candidate for propylene/propane separation. The core-shell hybrid
nanomaterial was further used as nanofillers in the polymer of intrinsic
microporosity matrix (PIM-1) for propylene/propane separation. The
resultant MMMs exhibited a simultaneous increase in C3H6 permeability
and C3H6/C3H8 ideal selectivity compared to pure polymer membrane owing
to a synergistic effect of molecular sieving from ZIF-8 and
π-complexation of Ag+ with propylene. The separation performance of the
prepared MMM surpasses the upper bound line of polymer membranes.
Furthermore, the hybrid materials possess superb photochemical stability
and the corresponding MMMs exhibit excellent anti-aging property and
long-term stability.