CO2 Gas Transport Property of Sulfonated Poly(Arylenen Ether Sulfone) Copolymer Membrane

The effect of functional groups such as sulfuric acid group and metal ions on the CO2 gas transport property of membranes was investigated. Sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) was prepared by direct copolymerization with a non-sulfonated monomer and sulfonated monomer. The sulfonation degree of SPAES was controlled from 0 to 50%. Metal ions such as lithium and sodium were substituted for the protons of the -SO3H group. The thermal properties, microstructure of polymer chains, and the permeability and selectivity of membranes were evaluated. The solubility coefficient of CO2 gas increased with an increase in sulfonation degree. But the diffusivity was largely decreased and the CO2/N2 selectivity of the membrane substituted for metal ions was increased.