Gas Pemeation of pure C O 2 and N 2 through plasma-Treated Polypropylene Membranes

Abstract

The surface of polypropylene membrane was modified by plasma treatment using Ar, N2, NH3 and O2. Permeabilities for CO2, N2 and separation factor for CO2 relative to N2 were measured. The permeation experiments were performed by a variable volume method at 25℃ and 0.303MPa. The effects of the plasma conditions such as treatment time, power input, gas flow rate and pressure in the reactor on the transport properties of modified membrane were investigated. The surface of the plasma treated membrane was analyzed by means of FTIR-ATR, XPS and AFM. The surface structure of the plasma treated membrane was fairly different from that of the untreated membrane. Although the permeation rates for both CO2 and N2 decreased with increasing plasma treatment time, the separation factor was found to be improved by the plasma treatment. The operating conditions of plasma treatment imposed on on membranes had notable effect on the permeability and separation factor.