Síntese e caracterização de filmes de nanopartículas de prata dispersas em poli(uretano-ureia) para separação de gases petroquímicos

Abstract

The use of new materials applied to processes of membrane separation has been the target of constant academic and technological researches. In permeation of petrochemical gases, the modification of polymeric structure to form facilitated transport membranes are one of the worthy available options. In this sense, the goal of this work is, not only evaluate the influence of the addition of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) in the chemical, morphological and thermal properties of poly(urethane urea) (PUU) films, but also obtain permeability data for some petrochemical gases (C2H4, C2H6, CO2 e N2). FTIR spectra exhibited changes in the C-O-C and C=O stretching bands profile of (from urethane and urea groups) and XRD analyses exhibited shifts in peaks. These results demonstrate the AgNps interacted with the ether oxygen of PUU. The interaction with AgNps reduced the thermal stability of polymer soft segments, where the ether linkages are located. TEM images showed a lower dispersion of Np in the polymer matrix. The interaction between AgNps and ether groups also decreased the permeability of all gases. Reduction of CO2 and C2H4 permeability were clear, demonstrating the hindrance of AgNps in the sorption of both gases. The olefin transport facilitated through the polymeric films was not verified. . This is partially caused by the lower dispersion of AgNps in the polymer matrix. Although an interaction between the AgNps and ether oxygen was observed, it was not possible to confirm if the Nps surface was really activated to facilitated transport. However, considering the results obtained it was possible to propose the interaction mechanism between AgNps and PUU; and also to indicate how the presence of Nps can change the interaction between the polymeric matrix and the petrochemical gases