Olefin separation via charge transfer and dipole formation at the silver nanoparticle-tetracyanoquinoid interface

Abstract

In this study, we report the significantly increased carrier activity of AgNPs in silver-olefin complexation, induced by the addition of tetracyanoquinoidal molecules (TCQs) such as TCNQ and F4-TCNQ. The interactions between AgNPs and TCQs were investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The Kelvin probe and XPS data revealed vacuum level shifts and dipole formation at the AgNPs-TCQs interface, resulting in the increased work function of the AgNPs from 4.89 up to 5.25 eV. As a result, membranes containing AgNPs-TCQs demonstrated a mixed gas selectivity of ca. 100 for a 50/50 (vol%) propylene-propane mixture and showed stable performances.