The effect of glycerol on alginate/zeolite membranes for selectivity of ch4/co2 gas

Synthesis of alginate/zeolite membrane with the glycerol plasticizer for separation of CH4 towards CO2 has been carried out. This study aimed to investigate the effect of glycerol addition towards physical and mechanical properties of membrane on the permeability and selectivity of CH4/CO2. Membrane fabrication was done with mixing of alginate and activated zeolite in the aquabidest with glycerol addition as plasticizer with mass ratio of alginate:glycerol 1:0, 1:0.25, 1:0.5, 1:1 and stirring for 24 h and templeting at room temperature. Membrane formed was tested with FTIR, XRD, SEM, Texture Analyzer and Permeation gas cell. Result showed that glycerol addition into alginate can decrease tensile strength and increase elongation value for about 20 on the mass ratio alginate:glycerol 1:1. Besides, gas permeation rate was also influence by the glycerol addition. The highest permeability of CH4 was obtained with alginate:glycerol 1:0.25 and with permeation rate 1.03 × 10-4 cm3 (STP) cm-2 s-1 cmHg-1 . Meanwhile, the highest permeability of CO2 was obtained with the mass ratio alginate:glycerol 1:0.5 with permeation rate about 1.19 × 10-5 cm3 (STP) cm-2 s-1 cmHg-1 . The highest selectivity indicated that separation of CH4/CO2 occurred well about 49.2 for alginate:glycerol 1:1. © 2021 Trans Tech Publications Ltd, Switzerland.