Development of an ion gel-based CO separation membrane composed of Pebax 1657 and a CO-philic ionic liquid.

A tough ion gel membrane containing a CO-philic ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethanide ([Emim][C(CN)]), was developed, and its CO permeation properties were evaluated under humid conditions at elevated temperatures. Pebax 1657, which is a diblock copolymer composed of a polyamide block and a polyethylene oxide block, was used as the gel network of the ion gel membrane to prepare a tough ion gel with good ionic liquid-holding properties. The polyamide block formed a semicrystalline structure in [Emim][C(CN)] to toughen the ion gel membrane an energy dissipation mechanism.