Integration of stable ionic liquid-based nanofluids into polymer membranes. Part i: Membrane synthesis and characterization

Carolina Hermida-Merino, Fernando Pardo, Gabriel Zarca, João M. M. Araújo, Ane Urtiaga, Manuel M. Piñeiro, Ana B. Pereiro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)
74 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In this work, polymeric membranes functionalized with ionic liquids (ILs) and exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets (xGnP) were developed and characterized. These membranes based on graphene ionanofluids (IoNFs) are promising materials for gas separation. The stability of the selected IoNFs in the polymer membranes was determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The morphology of membranes was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and interferometric optical profilometry (WLOP). SEM results evidence that upon the small addition of xGnP into the IL-dominated environment, the interaction between IL and xGnP facilitates the migration of xGnP to the surface, while suppressing the interaction between IL and Pebax® 1657. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was also used to determine the polymer–IoNF interactions and the distribution of the IL in the polymer matrix. Finally, the thermodynamic properties and phase transitions (polymer–IoNF) of these functionalized membranes were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This analysis showed a gradual decrease in the melting point of the polyamide (PA6) blocks with a decrease in the corresponding melting enthalpy and a complete disappearance of the crystallinity of the polyether (PEO) phase with increasing IL content. This evidences the high compatibility and good mixing of the polymer and the IoNF.

Original languageEnglish
Article number607
Pages (from-to)1-19
Number of pages19
JournalNanomaterials
Volume11
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021

Keywords

  • Functionalized pebax® 1657 membrane
  • Hermal and morphological properties
  • Ionanofluids
  • Materials for gas separation

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