Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) consisting of a polymer bulk phase and an inorganic dispersed phase have the potential to provide a more selective membrane because they incorporate the selectivity of a zeolite dispersed phase while maintaining the ease of use of a polymer membrane. A critical problem in MMM applications is control over the polymer-zeolite interface adhesion during fabrication which can detrimentally impact membrane performance. In this work, MgOxHy (1≤x≤2, 0≤y≤2) nanostructures have been grown on pure-silica MFI and aluminosilicate LTA zeolites through four surface deposition techniques: Grignard decomposition reactions, solvothermal and modified solvothermal depositions, and ion-exchange induced surface crystallization. The structural properties of the surface nanostructures produced by each of the four methods were thoroughly characterized for their morphology, crystallinity, porosity, surface area, elemental composition, and these properties were used to predict the method’s suitability for use in composite membranes. The nanostructured zeolites were used in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) at two MMMs weight loadings. The dispersion, mechanical properties, and CO₂/CH₄ gas separation properties were measured MMMs made with each method of functionalized LTA. All functionalization methods improve adhesion with the polymer observable by microscopy, the dispersion of particles, and the elastic modulus and hardness of the membrane. Gas permeation measurements prove the quality and effectiveness of the Ion Exchange membrane for CO₂/CH₄ separation by its significant increase in selectivity over the pure polymer. Lastly, the interface between the two materials was studied by probing the interfacial polymer mobility using NMR spin-spin relaxation measurements and mechanical mapping of membrane cross sections. It was shown that the nanostructures have both steric and chemical interactions with the polymer. Mapping of the elastic modulus indicated that functionalization methods that resulted in poorer zeolite coverage also disrupted the mechanical properties of the membrane at the interface of the materials. The investigations in this thesis provide detailed structure-property relationships of surface-modified molecular sieves and nanocomposite membranes fabricated using these materials, allowing a rational approach to the design of such materials and membranes.

La séparation CO2/N2 et H2/CO2 permet de limiter le rejet de CO2 dans l’atmosphère issu des gaz industriels et les membranes présentent de nombreux avantages tant sur le plan économique que pratique. Les membranes polymère sont faciles à mettre en forme mais un compromis entre perméabilité et sélectivité doit généralement être trouvé : pour améliorer les performances, des membranes à matrice mixte (MMM) incorporant des MOFs (matériaux hybrides poreux cristallisés) dispersés dans la phase polymère ont été proposées. A la différence des matériaux poreux inorganiques, les MOFs ont une meilleure compatibilité avec la matrice polymère du fait de leur caractère hybride organiqueinorganique. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, des polycarboxylates de Fe3+ et Al3+ poreux, stables à l’eau, et possédant de bonnes propriétés d’adsorption sélective du CO2 ont été synthétisés en milieu aqueux et mis à l’échelle de quelques grammes. Deux nouveaux polycarboxylates de Fe3+ poreux fonctionnalisés par des fonctions -COOH libres ont été obtenus à température ambiante. Pour l’un d’entre eux, la structure a été déterminée par diffraction des rayons X. Une deuxième partie de la thèse a été consacrée à la synthèse de nanoparticules de MOFs avec un bon rendement. Une partie importante de ce travail a porté sur le contrôle de la taille et la morphologie des nanoparticules de MIL-96(Al). Ce travail a conduit à la préparation de MMMs à base de MIL-96(Al) dont les performances sont supérieures à la membrane pure polymère pour la séparation CO2/N2. La dernière partie de ce travail de thèse a porté sur l’étude physico-chimique de la compatibilité entre le ZIF-8 et deux polymères (PVA et PIM-1). Ce travail a consisté à effectuer une caractérisation complète de solutions colloïdales MOFs/polymère en couplant plusieurs techniques (DLS, TEM, SAXS). Cette étude a montré que la compatibilité MOF/polymère est très dépendante de la chimie de surface des MOFs et des propriétés physico-chimiques du polymère (rigidité, caractère hydrophile/hydrophobe…). / CO2 capture and storage (CCS) is of high economical and societal interest. CO2/N2 andH2/CO2 separations are able to limit atmospheric CO2 emissions produced by industrial exhausts andmembranes present numerous economical and practical advantages. Polymer membranes are easy toprocess and possess interesting mechanical properties. However, there is a trade-off to make betweenpermeability and selectivity. Mixed-matrix membranes (MMM) based on MOFs (porous crystallinehybrid materials) have been proposed to boost the performances of polymer membranes for CO2capture. In comparison to other inorganic porous materials, one may expect that the compatibilitybetween MOFs and polymers is enhanced due to the hybrid character of MOFs.In this work, porous water stable polycarboxylate MOFs based on Fe3+ and Al3+ with promisingproperties for CO2 adsorption were synthesized for large-scale production using water as the mainsolvent. Two new porous polycarboxylate Fe3+ MOF bearing free -COOH groups in the frameworkwere obtained at room temperature as nanoparticles. The crystallographic structure of one of thesematerials was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. A second part of the thesis was devotedto the synthesis of MOFs nanoparticles with good yield. We focused our attention on the control of thediameter and morphology of MIL-96(Al) nanoparticles. This study led to the preparation of MMMsbased on MIL-96(Al) with promising properties for CO2/N2 separation. Finally, the compatibilitybetween MOF particles and polymers was studied for two systems (ZIF-8/PIM-1 and ZIF-8/PVOH),showing the influence of the surface chemistry of MOFs and the physico-chemical properties ofpolymer on the matching between MOFs and polymers.

Mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes maintain the ease of processing polymers while enhancing the separation performance of the pure polymer due to inclusion of molecular sieve filler particles. This work shows the development process of high loading mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes for butane isomer separation, from material selection and engineering of polymer-sieve interfacial adhesion to mixed matrix hollow fiber spinning. The matching of gas transport properties in polymer and zeolite is critical for forming successful mixed matrix membranes. The nC4 permeability in glassy commercial polymers such as Ultem® and Matrimid® is too low (< 0.1 Barrer) for commercial application. A group of fluorinated (6FDA) polyimides, with high nC4 permeability and nC4/iC4 selectivity, are selected as the polymer matrix. No glassy polymers can possibly match the high permeable MFI to make mixed matrix membranes with selectivity enhancement for C4s separation. Zeolite 5A, which has a nC4 permeability (~3 Barrer) and nC4/iC4 selectivity (essentially ∞), matches well with the 6FDA polymers. A 24% nC4/iC4 selectivity enhancement was achieved in mixed matrix membranes containing 6FDA-DAM and 25 wt% treated 5A particles. A more promising mixed matrix membrane contains 6FDA-DAM-DABA matrix and 5A, because of a better match of gas transport properties in polymer and zeolite. Dual layer hollow fibers, with cellulose acetate core layer and sheath layers of 6FDA polyimides, were successfully fabricated. Successive engineering of the 6FDA sheath layer and the dense skin is needed for the challenging C4s separation, which is extremely sensitive to the integrity of the dense skin layer. The delamination-free, macrovoid-free dual layer hollow fiber membranes provide the solution for the expensive 6FDA polyimides spinning. Mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes are spun base on the platform of 6FDA/Cellulose acetate dual layer hollow fibers. Preliminary results suggest that high loading mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes for C4s is feasible. Following research is needed on the fiber spinning with well treated zeolite 5A nanoparticles. The key aspect of this research is elucidating the three-step (sol-gel-precipitation) mechanism of sol-gel-Grignard treatment, based on which further controlling of Mg(OH)2 whisker morphologies is possible. A Mg(OH)2 nucleation process promoted by acid species is proposed to explain the heterogeneous Mg(OH)2 growing process. Different acid species were tried: 1) HCl solution, 2) AlClx species generated by dealumination process and 3) AlCl3 supported on zeolite surfaces. Acids introduced through HCl solution and dealumination are effective on commercial 5A particles to generate Mg(OH)2 whiskers in the sol-gel-Grignard treatment. Supported AlCl3 is effective on both commercial and synthesized 5A particles (150 nm-1 µm) during the sol-gel-Grignard treatment, in terms of promoting heterogeneous Mg(OH)2 whiskers formation. But the byproduct of Al(OH)3 layer separates the Mg(OH)2 whiskers from zeolite surface, and leads to undesirable morphologies for polymer-zeolite interfacial adhesion. The elucidation of sol-gel-Grignard mechanism and importance of zeolite surface acidity on Mg(OH)2 formation, builds a solid foundation for future development towards ''universal'' method of growing Mg(OH)2 whiskers on zeolite surfaces.

Dans le cadre de la réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre, une des approches possibles consiste en l’utilisation de membranes pour séparer le CO2 de mélanges gazeux. Durant ce travail de thèse, la séparation CO2 / N2 dans des conditions de post-combustion a été étudiée pour des membranes à matrice mixte composées de matériaux organométalliques poreux, les MOF, insérés dans des polymères. Plus spécifiquement, la thèse porte sur la caractérisation de ces membranes à l’aide des spectroscopies vibrationnelles (IR et Raman). Différentes membranes polymériques et membranes à matrice mixte basées sur des polymères commerciaux comme le Matrimid ou le PEBAX ou des nouveaux polymères comme le PIM-1 ou 6FDA-DAM plus performants ont ainsi été étudiées. La spectroscopie Raman a d’abord été utilisée pour contrôler l’homogénéité des membranes et la bonne dispersion du MOF au sein du polymère à l’aide du Raman. Les interactions entre le polymère et le MOF ont également été étudiées à l’aide des spectroscopies IR in situ et Raman, notamment pour des composites modèles permettant de maximiser les interactions entre les deux composés. La deuxième partie du travail a été axée sur la caractérisation spectroscopique (IR operando) de ces membranes dans les conditions de post-combustion, simultanément à la mesure de leurs performances en séparation. Un système de mesures dédié a donc été spécialement développé. Cette méthodologie permet de comparer directement les données d’adsorption et de séparation des membranes. En développant une nouvelle approche couplant les aspects cinétiques et thermodynamiques de l’adsorption et de la perméation, les données expérimentales ont été modélisées afin de déterminer les paramètres d’adsorption et de diffusion des différentes membranes. / In the frame of the abatement of greenhouse gases, one of the possible approaches concern the use of membranes to separate CO2 from gas mixtures. During this PhD work, CO2 / N2 separation in post-combustion conditions has been studied for Mixed Matrix Membranes constituted by porous organometallic materials, MOFs, inserted into polymers. More specifically, this work aims at the characterization of these membranes using vibrational spectroscopies (IR and Raman). Different membranes, purely polymeric or Mixed Matrix Membranes, based on commercial polymers such as Matrimid or PEBAX as well as new polymers such as PIM-1 or 6FDA-DAM have been studied. Raman spectroscopy was first used to control the homogeneity of the membranes and the good dispersion of the MOF within the polymer. The interactions between the polymer and the MOF were also studied using IR in situ and Raman spectroscopies, notably for composites allowing maximizing the interactions between the two components. The second part of the work focused on the characterization of these membranes under operating post-combustion conditions, simultaneously with the measurement of their separation performance. For this purpose, a specifically designed measurement system has been developed in order to be able to test the membranes using IR operando. This methodology allows the direct comparison of adsorption and separation data. By the development of a new approach coupling kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of adsorption and permeation, experimental data were modelled to determine adsorption and diffusion parameters of the various membranes.

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