Synthesis and Characterization of Nano Hybrid Membrane PES-TiO₂ for Biogas Purification: Combination Effect of Ultra Violet and Cross-Linking

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
² Nano Center Indonesia, South Tangeran Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: tdkusworo@che.undip.ac.id

Abstract

One of the alternative energy offered and can be used as a substitute for fossil energy is renewable energy. Examples of renewable energy are very abundant and can be developed in Indonesia is biogas. Biogas mostly contain CH₄ and CO₂. Membrane separation is one of the most suitable process to make biogas more pure. So, it must be advanced to improve the membrane performance. The objectives of the current research are to investigate the effect of combined UV irradiation and cross linking on nano hybrid membrane PES-TiO₂ on their performance to separate CO₂ that contain in biogas. The nano hybrid membrane PES-TiO₂ was fabricated by preparing the dope solution containing PES, NMP as solvent, and nano TiO₂. The membrane was casted by using NIPS method, with expose under UV lights for 1, 2, 3 min and followed by immersion in acetone-ethanol mixture for 24 hours. UV irradiation and cross linking treatments increased the selectivity and permeability of nano hybrid membrane PES-TiO₂ on CO₂/CH₄ gas separation. The effect either UV irradiation or cross linking addition, make the void larger than before, so the selectivity and permeability can increase. With the addition of cross linking ethanol-acetone solution can reduce agglomeration in the membrane. The combination of UV irradiation and cross linking treatments can increase significantly in nano hybrid membrane PES-TiO₂ performance for CO₂/CH₄ gas separation.