Effective separation of propylene/propane binary mixtures by ZIF-8 membranes

• Published in: Journal of membrane science Vol. 390; pp. 93 - 98
• Main Authors: Pan, Yichang, Li, Tao, Lestari, Gabriella, Lai, Zhiping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.02.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: artificial membranes; carbon; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Hydrothermal seeded growth; industry; Membranes; Molecular sieving; permeability; polymers; propane; propylene; Propylene/propane separation; thermal stability; ZIF membrane; ZIF-8; Propylene/propane separation; ZIF membrane; Molecular sieving; ZIF-8; Hydrothermal seeded growth; Polymeric membrane; Five membered ring; Experimental data; Separation; Nitrogen heterocycle; Permeability; Thermal stability; Petrochemical industry; Binary mixture; Hydrothermal growth; Propene; Reproducibility; Imidazole; Membrane; Inorganic membrane; Propane
• ISSN: 0376-7388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2011.11.024

► The first example for effective separation of C 3H 6/C 3H 8 mixtures by ZIF membranes. ► Excellent separation performance well beyond existing membranes. ► A novel process for preparation of high quality ZIF-8 membranes. ► Excellent membrane reproducibility, thermal and long-term stability. The separation of propylene/propane mixtures is one of the most important but challenging processes in the petrochemical industry. A novel zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF-8) membrane prepared by a facile hydrothermal seeded growth method showed excellent separation performances for a wide range of propylene/propane mixtures. The membrane showed a permeability of propylene up to 200 barrers and a propylene to propane separation factor up to 50 at optimal separation conditions, well surpassing the “upper-bound trade-off” lines of existing polymer and carbon membranes. The experimental data also showed that the membranes had excellent reproducibility, long-term stability and thermal stability.