Ammonia permeation and plasticization of glassy polymeric membranes

Abstract

Ammonia (NH3) is a vital industrial chemical and a potential clean fuel, whose production is increasing globally. The permeation of ammonia through glassy polymeric membranes demonstrates considerable variability, due to hydrogen bonding with both the polymer and residual water. This study reveals the underlying mechanisms for ammonia permeability within membranes, which is strongly correlated with the presence of water and the polymer's chemistry. Three polymers with varying water/ammonia affinity were studied: poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), polysulfone (PSU), and Teflon AF 1600. Ammonia was found to readily plasticize PVA, with sorption isotherms that follow Henry's law at conditions below th..