Use of 1D [Pr(BTC)(H2O)6] MOF as a Filler for Fabrication of Matrimid® based MMMs

Selection of good filler-polymer pair results in improved gas separation performances. Present study deals with fabrication of Matrimid based hybrid or mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) by using three weight loadings (10, 20 and 30 wt. %) of 1D rod shaped nanoporous [Pr(BTC)(H2O)6] metal organic framework (MOF). The fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometric analysis indicated the bonding of lanthanide metal ion with the linker and thus formation of the MOF, and further revealed that the structure of MOF remained intact after incorporation into the polymer matrix. Powder X-ray (PXRD) analysis revealed purity and crystallinity of the MOF while the PXRD results for the MMMs indicated that crystallinity of the MOF remained unaffected after fabrication of the MMMs. The Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results gave an indication of the formation of the MOF in same morphology as it is previously reported. Additionally, nice distribution and well adherence of the additive particles throughout the polymer matrix was observed while the interfacial voids were visibly absent. The MOF and the MMMs were thermally stable and crystallinity of MOF particles remained intact after dispersion into polymer matrix. The Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface area of the MOF was also obtained that indicated its permanent porosity. The prepared MMMs were flexible enough to handle for all analysis. These findings led to conclude that a proper polymer-filler pair was made that produced defect free MMMs. The prepared MMMs can be evaluated in future for their performance towards separation of different gases after modification of the pore of the filler

Asma R. Tariq, Misbah Sultan, Tariq Mahmud, Ghayoor Abbas Chotana, Muhammad Rizwan Dilshad, Asim Laeeq Khan, Muhammad Imran, Saadia Rashid Tariq and Prof. Dr. Klaus Müller-Buschbaum