Use of block copolymer as compatibilizer in polyimide/zeolite composite membranes

In this work, we introduced a diblock copolymer (dBC), i.e., polystyrene‐b‐poly(hydroxyl ethyl acrylate) (PS‐b‐PHEA) as a compatibilizer to enhance interfacial adhesion between PI and zeolite in PI/Zeolite/dBC (1/0.1/0.05 wt%) membrane for gas separation. FT‐IR spectroscopy showed the formation of hydrogen bonding interactions of the carbonyl and the hydroxyl in dBC with both PI and zeolite. The differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) study showed that the glass transition temperature (T_g) of PI increased upon the introduction of dBC, indicating specific interactions in the mixed matrix membranes. The gas permeabilities of H₂, N₂, O₂, and CO₂ through PI/zeolite 5A/dBC membranes were reduced but the permselectivity were increased compared to neat PI membrane. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.