Gas permeation properties of cellulose acetate/silica nanocomposite membrane

Abstract In this study, the effects of silica nanoparticles on the permeability of pure CO 2 , O 2, and N 2 gases in cellulose acetate ( CA ) membrane have been studied. Silica particles were prepared via the sol–gel method through the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate ( TEOS ). CA and CA /silica nanocomposite membranes were prepared by thermal phase inversion method. Scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ), differential scanning calorimetry ( DSC ), and Fourier transfer infrared ( FTIR ) analyses were employed to characterize the CA and CA /silica nanocomposite membranes. Gas permeation experiments showed an increase in the permeability of CO 2 from 6.32 to 7.3 barrer and a reduction in the permeability of N 2 from 0.18 to 0.09 barrer with the increment in silica content of the prepared composite membranes up to 20 wt%. Therefore, CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of the nanocomposite membranes increased by increasing the silica content in the polymer matrix from 30 to 80 for 20 wt% load of silica.