C2-Hydrocarbon Mixture Separation on Polyethylene Membranes with Grafted Sulfonated Polystyrene in H+, Li+ and Na+ Forms

The olefin separation from their mixture with paraffins by facilitated transport membranes is a very important process for the further macromolecular compounds production. Membranes loaded silver ions, which are responsible transport, instable time due to reduction, while those containing protons catalyze polymerization of olefins. In this work, based on polyethylene grafted sulfonated polystyrene in various ionic forms (H+, Li+, Na+) were used first ethylene/ethane mixture. influence sulfonation time, relative humidity, and ethylene was studied. SEM study shows non-uniform sulfur distribution over membrane thickness different reaction times. With increasing humidity permeability factor its ethane increase. Separation factors Li+-form shown be as high H+-form. A possible mechanism discussed.