PIM-1 as an organic filler to enhance CO2 separation performance of poly (arylene fluorene ether ketone)

PIM-1 and poly(arylene fluorene ether ketone) (Am-PAFEK) were synthesized by polycondensation . Their structures were characterized by 1 H NMR and FT-IR spectral analyses. A series of flexible and transparent blend membranes were prepared by solution blending with different ratios of PIM-1 and Am-PAFEK. DSC and SEM analyses showed good compatibility between them. PIM-1 and Am-PAFEK in the blend membrane perform their respective functions. The former provides excellent permeability; the latter provides high selectivity for CO 2 . Addition of 20% Am-PAFEK into the blend membrane increased the gas separation selectivity of CO 2 /CH 4 and CO 2 /N 2 by 75% and 65%, respectively. The optimum separation performance was achieved with blend membrane with a CO 2 permeability of 752.4 Barrer and a CO 2 /N 2 selectivity ratio of 26.7, extremely close to the Robeson upper bound (2008). After 140-days aging test, the blend membranes still maintained above 70% CO 2 permeability, indicating that it has good antiaging properties. Consequently, the new type of membranes have great potential in industrial applications.