Study on the recycling of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks and polymer Pebax® 1657 from their mixed matrix membranes applied to CO2 capture

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) consisting of fillers (e.g. metal organic frameworks (MOFs)) in polymer are considered as an interesting alternative for capturing post combustion CO2 towards a sustainable development. This research is focused on the recycling MMMs made Pebax® 1657 and MOF ZIF-94. Upon MMM preparation, characterization testing, were dissolved to recover MOFs separately. Recovered products characterized by SEM, EDX, FTIR, TGA, XRD, DLS, mass spectrometry N2 adsorption compare their size, shape other properties with those fresh ones. Mean particle size recycled ZIF-94 148 ± 44 nm 164 32 nm, respectively. Incorporation produced defect free which was confirmed SEM gas separation measurements. These MMMs, 10 wt% loading, tested CO2/N2 mixture permeability 157 6.5 Barrer (with 67 % improvement compared pure membrane 94 2 Barrer) selectivity 27.5 1.4 (5 lower than that MMM, 29.3 1.8, but 20 higher corresponding membrane, 23 2). Demonstrating its wide feasibility, proposed methodology also applicable ZIF-8 from based MMMs.