24 fractional factorial design for PVDF/Pebax film composite synthesis on gas selectivity study

Abstract

One of the key indicator for membrane film excellencies is by having a good ideal selectivity, and it is defined as the permeability ratio of two pure gases which be separated. This study focused on factors screening and interaction between involved factors in membrane film development on gas selectivity by employing 24 fractional factorial design (FFD). A total of four factors; Pebax concentration, bath temperature, evaporation times and quenching times were chosen to run simultaneously and ideal selectivity was chosen as a single respond. Order of contribution was found to be as follows; Pebax concentration > quenching times > bath temperature > evaporation times, while the most impacting factors towards gas selectivity was Pebax concentration (main effect), evaporation times-Pebax concentration (interaction effect), quenching times (main effect). The composite film produced via this design of experiment managed to obtain higher barrer of CO2 permeability of 393 and selectivity of 64.75. The outcome of the study indicates a very strong judgement in utilizing FFD to minimize and eliminate factors by considering the interaction among the factors involves in membrane film development for an ideal gas selectivity.