Synthesis and gas separation properties of poly(ionic liquid)-ionic liquid composite membranes containing a copper salt

• Published in: Journal of membrane science Vol. 515; pp. 109 - 114
• Main Authors: Zarca, Gabriel, Horne, W. Jeffrey, Ortiz, Inmaculada, Urtiaga, Ane, Bara, Jason E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-10-2016
• Subjects: CARBON DIOXIDE; CHLORIDES; COMPOSITES; Copper; Copper (I) chloride; COPPER OXIDE; Gas separation; Ionic liquid; Membrane; MEMBRANES; Particulate composites; Permeability; Polymer; Reduction; SALTS; Polymer; Membrane; Gas separation; Copper (I) chloride; Ionic liquid
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2016.05.045

Composite poly(ionic liquid)-ionic liquid membranes containing copper (I) chloride (CuCl) have been successfully fabricated via photopolymerization of an IL monomer, 1-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium bistriflimide ([C4vim][Tf2N]), in the presence of CuCl and a non-polymerizable IL, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim][Cl]), forming the chlorocuprate anion ([CuCl2]−) in situ. The influence of the metal salt content on the gas separation performance of the composite membranes was assessed. Results showed that increasing the content of non-polymerizable IL enhanced the permeabilities of CO2, H2, N2 and CO relative to those obtained in the pristine poly([C4vim][Tf2N]); whereas the addition of CuCl induced a general reduction of gas diffusivity. On the whole, an enhancement of both gas permeability and ideal gas pair selectivity were observed for CO2/N2 and H2/N2 separations in the Cu-containing composite membranes with respect to the neat poly([C4vim][Tf2N]).
•Poly(IL)-IL composites containing Cu+ (as CuCl2−) fabricated via photopolymerization.•Presence of Cu+ did not promote facilitated transport of carbon monoxide.•Design approach could enable new poly(IL) materials with other transition metals.