Asymmetric Mixed Matrix Membranes Fabricated Using a Spin Coating Technique

6FDA based polyimides offer thermal stability and remain as flexible membranes even upon incorporation of a high loading of additives. Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated incorporating zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) in 6FDA-durene up to 100% (w/w) loading, and a large (765%) increase in H₂ permeability was observed without a loss in H₂/CO₂ selectivity. A thin layer of the polymer was spin coated on to the MMMs followed by surface cross-linking of the skin using ethylene diamine (EDA), which led to a greatly enhanced H₂/CO₂ gas selectivity of 28. The permeability selectivity data are promising for hydrogen separation and lie above the Robeson upper bound for H₂/CO₂ separation. The membranes were characterized using ATR-IR, TGA, X-ray diffraction and SEM. The fabrication and characterization of the membranes along with the permeability and selectivity data will be presented.