Gas Separation Properties of Hollow-Fiber Membranes of Polypropylene and Polycarbonate by Melt-Spinning Method

This work represents determination of gas separation properties of polypropylene and polycarbonate hollow fiber membranes. Hollow fibers were prepared by melt-spinning method at speed of 100-110 m/min. To improve gas separation properties of hollow fibers, silica nanoparticles were introduced into polycarbonate hollow fibers. Gas permeabilities of O-2, N-2 and CO2 were measured to determine the gas separation properties of obtained hollow fibers. The polypropylene hollow fibers showed the selectivity of 13.25 for CO2/N-2 and 3.75 for O-2/N-2. Adding 1 wt. % silica nanoparticles into polycarbonate hollow fibers improved the gas separation properties and increased the selectivity of CO2/N-2 from 20.50-25.23. Higher selectivity could be achieved by proper distribution of nanoparticles into membrane structure.