Permeation and sorption properties of poly(ether-block-amide) membranes filled by two types of zeolites

The experimental study of transport properties of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) based on PEBA-4033 with two types of zeolites is reported. Gas (CO2, O-2, N-2) and vapor (benzene, toluene, methanol, water) permeation measurements were performed using the differential flow permeameter at temperature of 298.15 K and at atmospheric pressure. Gas/vapor permeation was monitored by measuring the changes of the thermal conductivity of carrier gas (H-2). Sorption experiments were performed gravimetrically. Determined values of the transport parameters (permeability, diffusion and sorption coefficients) of all studied vapors revealed expected high-order permeability of PEBA based membranes for vapors in comparison with gases whereas increasing of zeolite-filler content up to 30 wt.% in polymer matrix led to higher values of permeability and gas/gas and vapor/gas selectivity in comparison with pure polymer. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.