Toluene vapor removal using an inorganic/organic double-network ion gel membrane

ABSTRACT

Tough gel membrane composed of a large amount of an ionic liquid and an inorganic/organic composite double-network (inorganic/organic DN ion gel membrane) was examined to remove toluene vapor from toluene vapor/N₂ mixed gas. The DN ion gel membrane with 80 wt% of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide showed higher toluene vapor permeability (more than 30,000 barrer) and toluene vapor/N₂ permselectivity (690) than the supported ionic liquid membrane. The toluene vapor permeability and toluene vapor/N₂ permselectivity were maintained under pressurized condition. It was confirmed that the toluene vapor permeation was limited by intramembrane diffusion of the dissolved toluene vapor.

KEYWORDS:

• Separation membrane
• ionic liquid
• gel
• inorganic/organic double-network
• toluene separation