Gas permeability properties of polysulfone membranes containing the mesoporous molecular sieve MCM-41

In this study, we have explored the first use of the siliceous MCM-41 molec ular sieve as an additive to enhance the gas permeability characteristics o f a high-performance polysulfone. For all gases tested (N-2, O-2, CO2, CH4) , the permeability increased in proportion to the weight percent of MCM-41 present in the film. At the same time, calculated ideal selectivities remai ned almost constant irrespective of MCM-41 loading. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, supported by molecular mechanics calculations, revealed hydrogen-bonding in teractions between polysulfone and MCM-41. The increase in permeability, wi thout a loss in selectivity, which is not observed with dense silica or zeo lites, suggests that using a mesoporous molecular sieve as the adsorbent ad ditive enhances contact and penetration of the polymer.