High performance MoS2 membranes: effects of thermally driven phase transition on CO2 separation efficiency

Abstract

Submicrometer thick MoS₂ membranes were investigated for their gas permeation properties and efficiency of H₂/CO₂ separation. These membranes show high H₂/CO₂ separation at very high H₂ permeability. The thermal stability of the membrane and the effect of phase transition of MoS₂ from the 1T to the 2H phase on gas permeability and H₂/CO₂ separation were investigated by heating the membrane at different temperatures. The MoS₂ membranes were found to be thermally stable up to 160 °C and a significant increase in gas permeability was observed. The mechanism of gas permeation through the MoS₂ membranes was found to be through interbundle spaces instead of interlayer spaces of individual MoS₂ sheets.