SELECTIVE OLEFIN PERMEATION THROUGH AG(I) CONTAINED SILICONE RUBBER-GRAFT-POLY(ACRYLIC ACID) MEMBRANES

The silicone rubber (SR) based graft copolymer, SR-graft-poly(acrylic acid) (SR-g-AA), was modified by incorporating silver ion (SR-g-AA-Ag) for C-4 olefin/paraffin gases separation. Olefin could be transporte d across the complex membrane by the silver ion facilitated transport. The permeation properties, as measured by gas chromatography equipped with a gas permeability analyzer, implied a facilitating effect for o lefin. Typical trans-2-butene/n-butane selectivity in the 95.6% grafte d complex membrane at 25 degrees C is 4.0. Also, the influences of AA% grafting, measuring temperature and pressure to the permeation proper ties of C-4 gases were studied. In addition, the sorption behaviors of C-4 gases in SR based membranes are presented and discussed by the Fl ory-Huggins equation. Finally, the selectivity of solubility and diffu sivity in these SR based membranes are also discussed.