Synthesis and gas transport properties of novel functional polyimide/ZnO nanocomposite thin film membranes

Abstract

In this study, the synthesis, morphology, thermal properties and gas transport of new polyimide/ZnO nanohybrid films were investigated. The novel diamine, containing functional trifluoromethyl groups, was prepared in two steps by the nucleophilic substitution reaction and it was fully characterized by different techniques. All the obtained polymers were readily soluble in polar solvents. The hybrid membranes showed good thermal stability associated with high glass-transition temperatures (T_g, 152–177 °C) and high char yields (higher than 80% at 800 °C in nitrogen). The gas separation properties of the hybrid membranes were studied and the results show that the permeation of N₂, O₂, CH₄ and CO₂ increased in comparison with the pristine polyimide membrane.