Fabrication of hybrid membranes based on poly(ether-sulfone)/Materials Institute Lavoisier (MIL-53)(Al) and its enhanced CO₂ gas separation performance

Hybrid organic–inorganic membranes which called as mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) based on Poly(ether-sulfone) (PES) and Materials Institute Lavoisier (MIL-53) (Al) are successfully prepared through a phase inversion method. The XRD and FTIR analyses confirm the formation of MIL-53 (Al) and classified as a mesoporous material with irregular morphology according to nitrogen sorption isotherm and SEM analysis. The loading of MIL-53 (Al) into PES varies from 10, 20, 30, and 40% (w/w). No chemical interaction is observed between MIL-53 (Al) and PES in MMMs based on FTIR analysis. Agglomeration in MMMs is observed at the addition of 40% (w/w) MIL-53 (Al) with an increase in the thermal stability of MMMs up to 50 °C. The gas separation is tested by calculating the gas permeability of N₂, O₂, and CO₂ and reached optimum condition in the addition of MIL-53 (Al) 30% (w/w) with increasing permeability values, respectively, 4, 6, and 8 times higher than the pristine PES membrane. The optimum selectivity of CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/O₂ is achieved in the addition of MIL-53 (Al) by 30 and 40% (w/w) with an increase in selectivity values 62.58 and 26.70%, respectively, compared to the selectivity of net PES membrane. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].