CuO-filled aminomethylated polysulfone hybrid membranes for deep desulfurization

CuO-filled aminomethylated polysulfone hybrid membranes were prepared for sulfur removal from gasoline. The as-prepared membranes were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The separation performance of the hybrid membranes was evaluated by pervaporation (PV) separation of n -heptane/thiophene binary mixture. CuO-filling leads to a decrease in permeation flux. The sulfur-enrichment factor increased first and then decreased with increasing CuO loading, and it is worth noting that there is a rebound in enrichment factor above 8 wt % CuO loading. Influencing factors such as nitrogen content, feed temperature, sulfur content, and various hydrocarbons on membrane PV performance were also evaluated. Permeation flux of 23.9 kg·μm·m − 2 ·h − 1 and sulfur-enrichment factor of 3.9 can be achieved at 4 wt % CuO loading in PV of n -heptane/thiophene binary mixture with 1500 μg·g − 1 sulfur content. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3718–3725, 2013