Compatibility between Polymer and Zeolite Materials

Mixed-matrix membranes containing dispersed zeolites in a continuous polymer matrix may retain polymer processabibty and improved selectivity for separation appHcations due to the superior molecular sieving property of the zeolite materials. 

Most reported zeolite/polymer mixed-matrix membranes, however, have issues of aggregation of the zeolite particles in the polymer matrix and poor adhesion at the interface of zeolite particles and the polymer matrix. These issues resulted in mixed-matrix membranes with poor mechanical and processing properties and poor separation performance. Poor compatibility and poor adhesion between the polymer matrix and the zeolite particles in the mixed-matrix membranes resulted in voids and defects around the zeolite particles that are larger than the micropores of the zeolites. Mixed-matrix membranes with these voids and defects exhibited selectivity similar to or even lower than that of the continuous polymer matrix and could not match that predicted by Maxwell model [59, 60]. 

Research has shown that good compatibihty and good adhesion between the polymer matrix and the zeoHte particles in mixed-matrix membranes are of particular importance in forming successful mixed-matrix membranes with enhanced selectivity [41, 60, 61]. Despite aU research efforts, issues of material compatibihty and adhesion at the zeoHte/polymer interface of the mixed-matrix membranes have not been completely addressed. 

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