Preparation and Gas Transport Behavior of Polysulfone/MCM-48 Silica Mixed Matrix Membranes

Mixed matrix membranes based on polysulfone and MCM-48 silica functionalized with 3-aminopropyltrimetoxisilano (APS) with potential applications to separate mixing gases such as: CH₄/CO₂ and/or CH₄/CO₂/N₂ were prepared by the casting method. Thermal and acid stability of polymeric and hybrid membranes have been studied. SEM images of hybrid membranes indicate that the modification of the mesoporous material improves dispersion and compatibility with the polymer matrix. The incorporation of modified-MCM-48 into the polysulfone polymer indicates an improvement on the permselectivity properties of the final system when tests for CO₂, CH₄ and N₂ pure gases were carried out.