Performance and Enhanced Efficiency Induced by Cold Plasma on SAPO-34 Membranes for CO₂ and CH₄ Mixtures

Authors

Fnu Gorky, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Vashanti Storr, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Grace Jones, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Apolo Nambo, Bert Thin FilmsFollow
Jacek B. Jasinski, University of LouisvilleFollow
Maria L. Carreon, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2024

Keywords

non-thermal plasma separation; sapo-34 membranes; CO2 and CH4 mixtures; electrification

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the influence of cold-plasma-induced enhanced performance and efficiency of SAPO-34 membranes in the separation of CO₂ and CH₄ mixtures. Placing the herein presented research in a broader context, we aim to address the question of whether cold plasma can significantly impact the membrane performance. We subjected SAPO-34 membranes to plasma mild disturbances and analyzed their performance in separating CO₂ and CH₄. Our findings reveal a notable enhancement in membrane efficiency and sustained performance when exposed to cold plasma. The pulsed plasma separation displayed improved structural integrity, and the experimental results indicated that the linear structure of CO₂ facilitates the distortion of electron clouds in response to the electric field, a property known as polarizability, which aids in effective separation. Plausible mechanistic insight indicated that the intermolecular forces facilitated an integral role in SAPO-34 membranes exhibiting strong electrostatic interactions. In conclusion, our research highlights the potential of cold plasma as a promising technique for improving the performance of SAPO-34 membranes in gas mixtures at atmospheric pressures, providing valuable insights for optimizing membrane technology in carbon capture and gas separation applications.

Citation

Gorky, F., Storr, V., Jones, G., Nambo, A., Jasinski, J. B., & Carreon, M. L. (2024). Performance and Enhanced Efficiency Induced by Cold Plasma on SAPO-34 Membranes for CO₂ and CH₄ Mixtures. Membranes, 14 (8), 178. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14080178

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.