Hadi Shad Majareh - Research Centre for Membrane Separation Processes, Department of Chemical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Narmak, Tehran, Iran
Toraj mohammadi - Research Centre for Membrane Separation Processes, Department of Chemical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Narmak, Tehran, Iran

Novel nanocomposite membranes containing single walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) inside a poly(dimethyl siloxane) matrix were prepared and characterized. Nitric acid was used for purification and functionalization of CNTs. Afterward, highly pure and functionalized CNTs were incorporated in poly (dimethyl diloxane) (PDMS) to synthesize PDMS–CNTs nanocomposite membranes. SEM characterization was carried out to investigate dispersion of CNTs in PDMS matrix. The result showed that, at 2% loading, CNTs is well dispersed in the polymer matrix. Permeability measurments were carried out at different feed pressures from 1 to 7 bar. The results showed that increasing CNTs loading increases CO2 and CH4 permeabilities. Also it was found that the membrane selectivity increases by addition of CNTs.

Nanocomposite membrane, Carbon nanotube, Poly(dimethyl siloxane), Gas separation