Transport Phenomena and Fluid Mechanics

Preparation and high oxygen-enriching properties of cross-linking polydimethylsiloxane/SiO2 nanocomposite membranes for air purification

  1. Huaxin Rao1,*,
  2. Ziyong Zhang1,
  3. Ye Tian2

Article first published online: 14 JUN 2012

DOI: 10.1002/aic.13860

Issue

AIChE Journal

AIChE Journal

Volume 59, Issue 2, pages 650–655, February 2013

Additional Information

How to Cite

Rao, H., Zhang, Z. and Tian, Y. (2013), Preparation and high oxygen-enriching properties of cross-linking polydimethylsiloxane/SiO2 nanocomposite membranes for air purification. AIChE J., 59: 650–655. doi: 10.1002/aic.13860

Author Information

  1. 1

    Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China

  2. 2

    Guangdong Medical Devices Quality Surveillance and Test Institute, Guangzhou, China

*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to H. Rao at traohx@jnu.edu.cn.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 23 JAN 2013
  2. Article first published online: 14 JUN 2012
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 30 MAY 2012 10:11AM EST
  4. Manuscript Revised: 16 MAY 2012
  5. Manuscript Received: 18 NOV 2011

Funded by

  • National Nature Science Fund of China. Grant Number: 31000446
  • Guangdong Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Funds. Grant Number: Sybzzxm201035

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Keywords:

  • oxygen-enriching properties;
  • nanocomposite membrane;
  • sol–gel copolymerization;
  • cross-linking;
  • polydimethylsiloxane

Nanocomposite membrane based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and nanoscale SiO2 particles were prepared by a convenient and mild sol–gel copolymerization of tetraethoxysilane as well as cross-linking reaction. The oxygen-enriching properties of cross-linking PDMS/SiO2 nanocomposite membranes containing different silica conversion and SiO2 contents were investigated. The results showed that the nanocomposite membranes exhibited good membrane-forming ability, superior mechanical properties, and high solvent resistance as well as excellent oxygen-enriching properties for air purification. The oxygen-enriching performance was regulated by the organic/inorganic ratio and silica conversion in the sol–gel synthesis process. Permeability and selectivity could increase simultaneously with the addition of nanoscale SiO2. The oxygen permeation coefficient of the nanocomposite membrane increased to 680 Barrer and oxygen/nitrogen separation factor kept 3.0 or so, both higher than those of the corresponding pure PDMS membrane. The high oxygen-enriching properties of the nanocomposite membranes arose from the introduction of SiO2 particles, the sol–gel copolymerization, and cross-linking method. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 650–655, 2013

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