<p>Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) with high chain packing density by incorporating soluble macrocycle compounds represent a promising class of materials for gas separation. However, achieving the ultra-high selectivity (He/CH<sub>4</sub> &gt; 1000) for helium extraction from natural gas with ultra-low helium content remains a formidable challenge, especially for Matrimid membranes, which are commercially available but exhibit relatively low permeability and moderate selectivity. Herein, the cyclic Cyclen with specific intra-ring dimensions was incorporated into Matrimid as a pore-structure modifier to enhance the He/CH<sub>4</sub> selectivity. The strong hydrogen bonding interactions between Cyclen and Matrimid chains induced a denser chain stacking and modulation of the interchain gap structures, which enables rapid mass transfer of small He gas molecules while hindering the diffusion of large CH<sub>4</sub> gas molecules across the membrane, thereby significantly enhanced He/CH<sub>4</sub> molecular sieving capacity. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the MMMs prepared using Cyclen as a filler exhibited tunable microporous and more efficient He transport channels. Notably, the He/CH<sub>4</sub> selectivity reached up to an impressive value of 6788 after physical aging for 110 days, which outperformed almost all reported polymer-based membranes and was even comparable to that of some advanced carbon molecular sieve membranes.</p>

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Mixed-matrix membranes with molecular recognition windows for selective helium extraction from natural gas

  • Wen He,
  • Xiangzeng Wang,
  • Jian Guan,
  • Quansheng Liang,
  • Ji Ma,
  • Ying Liu,
  • Hongjun Zhang,
  • Chunwei Zhang,
  • Jiangtao Liu

摘要

Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) with high chain packing density by incorporating soluble macrocycle compounds represent a promising class of materials for gas separation. However, achieving the ultra-high selectivity (He/CH4 > 1000) for helium extraction from natural gas with ultra-low helium content remains a formidable challenge, especially for Matrimid membranes, which are commercially available but exhibit relatively low permeability and moderate selectivity. Herein, the cyclic Cyclen with specific intra-ring dimensions was incorporated into Matrimid as a pore-structure modifier to enhance the He/CH4 selectivity. The strong hydrogen bonding interactions between Cyclen and Matrimid chains induced a denser chain stacking and modulation of the interchain gap structures, which enables rapid mass transfer of small He gas molecules while hindering the diffusion of large CH4 gas molecules across the membrane, thereby significantly enhanced He/CH4 molecular sieving capacity. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the MMMs prepared using Cyclen as a filler exhibited tunable microporous and more efficient He transport channels. Notably, the He/CH4 selectivity reached up to an impressive value of 6788 after physical aging for 110 days, which outperformed almost all reported polymer-based membranes and was even comparable to that of some advanced carbon molecular sieve membranes.