Gas separation performance of MMMs containing (PIM-1)-functionalized GO derivatives

A strategy to reduce the physical aging in PIM-1 membranes by incorporating novel functionalized graphene oxide (GO) fillers is reported. PIM-1 was covalently attached both to as-synthesized GO and to GO reacted with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTS-GO), leading to homogeneous dispersion of the nanofillers in the mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). It was found that the aging rate decreases with increasing content of (PIM-1)-functionalized GO, as evidenced by the smaller decrease in gas permeability over time. The best performance was achieved by a membrane containing 10 wt% of (PIM-1)-functionalized APTS-GO. This membrane maintains 85% of the initial CO2 permeability after 150 days (drop of only 310 Barrer), which represents about nine-fold less CO2 permeability drop as compared to pure PIM-1.