Mixed matrix membranes fabricated by a facile in situ biomimetic mineralization approach for efficient CO2 separation

CO2 capture using membrane contactors: a systematic literature review

With fossil fuel being the major source of energy, CO2 emission levels need to be reduced to a minimal amount namely from anthropogenic sources. Energy consumption is expected to rise by 48% in the next 30 years, and global warming is becoming an alarming issue which needs to be addressed on a thorough technical basis. Nonetheless, exploring CO2 capture using membrane contactor technology has shown great potential to be applied and utilised by industry to deal with post- and pre-combustion of CO2. A systematic review of the literature has been conducted to analyse and assess CO2 removal using membrane contactors for capturing techniques in industrial processes. The review began with a total of 2650 papers, which were obtained from three major databases, and then were excluded down to a final number of 525 papers following a defined set of criteria. The results showed that the use of hollow fibre membranes have demonstrated popularity, as well as the use of amine solvents for CO2 removal. This current systematic review in CO2 removal and capture is an important milestone in the synthesis of up to date research with the potential to serve as a benchmark databank for further research in similar areas of work. This study provides the first systematic enquiry in the evidence to research further sustainable methods to capture and separate CO2.

Efficient CO2 Separation of Multi-Permselective Mixed Matrix Membranes with a Unique Interfacial Structure Regulated by Mesoporous Nanosheets

A facile strategy to elevate gas separation performances of polymers is to introduce a versatile particle. In this study, the novel F-Ce nanosheets are synthesized, and then F-Ce is functionalized with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazole thiocyanate (ionic liquids, ILs), obtaining multifunctional f-F-Ce nanosheets by the facile and environment-friendly methods. The multifunctional f-F-Ce nanosheets are incorporated into the Pebax (Pebax 1657) matrix to fabricate mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for efficient CO₂ separation. The f-F-Ce nanosheets play versatile parts in elevating membrane gas separation performance. On the one hand, f-F-Ce tends to arrange horizontally and constructs a unique interfacial structure for cross-layer CO₂ transport in MMMs. On the other hand, the abundant mesopores from f-F-Ce construct high-speed CO₂ transport channels in MMMs and notably elevate the gas permeability. Moreover, the as-prepared MMMs separate CO₂ efficiently due to the comprehensive improvements of diffusivity selectivity, solubility selectivity, and reactivity selectivity. First, the high aspect ratio of f-F-Ce provides the tortuous pathways for gas transport and generates the rigid interface between the Pebax matrix and f-F-Ce nanosheets, increasing the diffusivity selectivity. Second, SCN^- groups from ILs show excellent affinity to CO₂, enhancing the solubility selectivity. Third, amine groups from ILs with abundant methylimidazole generate reversible reaction with CO₂ to elevate reactivity selectivity. Consequently, the f-F-Ce-doped MMMs display excellent CO₂ permeability and CO₂/CH₄ selectivity. In particular, the MMM incorporated with 8 wt % f-F-Ce displays a CO₂ permeability of 1823 Barrer and a CO₂/CH₄ selectivity of 35, overcoming the Robeson upper bound line (2008).

Membrane-based separation technologies: from polymeric materials to novel process: an outlook from China

During the past two decades, research on membrane and membrane-based separation process has developed rapidly in water treatment, gas separation, biomedicine, biotechnology, chemical manufacturing and separation process integration. In China, remarkable progresses on membrane preparation, process development and industrial application have been made with the burgeoning of the domestic economy. This review highlights the recent development of advanced membranes in China, such as smart membranes for molecular-recognizable separation, ion exchange membrane for chemical productions, antifouling membrane for liquid separation, high-performance gas separation membranes and the high-efficiency hybrid membrane separation process design, etc. Additionally, the applications of advanced membranes, relevant devices and process design strategy in chemical engineering related fields are discussed in detail. Finally, perspectives on the future research directions, key challenges and issues in membrane separation are concluded.

A stable polymeric chain configuration producing high performance PEBAX-1657 membranes for CO2 separation

Although PEBAX-1657 is one of the promising polymeric materials for selective CO₂ separation, there remain many questions about the optimal polymeric structure and possibility of improving performance without adulterating its basic structure by impregnating inorganic fillers. In order to improve the gas separation performance, low thickness PEBAX membranes were synthesized under steady solvent evaporation conditions by keeping in mind that one of its segments (nylon 6) shows structural variance and molecular orientation with a change in the evaporation rate. Furthermore, phase pure zeolite nanocrystals with cubic (zeolite A) and octahedral (zeolite Y) shapes have been synthesized through liquid phase routes using microwave hydrothermal reactors. The average sizes of zeolite A and Y crystals are around 55 and 40 nm, respectively. The inspection of XRD, DSC and Raman shift of PEBAX membranes demonstrates the formation of a stable polymeric structure with an improved crystalline state which results in high CO₂ permeability membranes. The CO₂ permeability as well as diffusivity increase with a decrease in membrane thickness and reach a maximum value of 184.7 Barrer and 2.6 × 10^-6 cm² s^-1, respectively. The as-fabricated pristine PEBAX membrane shows much better performance in terms of permeance (CO₂ 184.7 Barrer), diffusivity (CO₂ 2.6 × 10^-6 cm² s^-1) and selectivity (CO₂/N₂ 59.7), which substantiate its promising prospects for CO₂ capture. This exceptional performance of the pristine PEBAX membrane arises from the free volume generated during the steady polymerization. This reported approach for PEBAX membrane synthesis provides a direction in the design of membrane fabrication processes for economic CO₂ separation.

Penetrated COF Channels: Amino Environment and Suitable Size for CO2 Preferential Adsorption and Transport in Mixed Matrix Membranes

Developing mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) is challenging because the interface between different matrices often forms undesirable structures. Herein, we demonstrate a method of creating suitable CO₂-selective channels based on interface regulation that greatly enhances membrane separation performance. The poly(vinylamine), which also acts as a polymer matrix, was immobilized onto covalent organic frameworks (COFs) to obtain polymer-COF hybrid materials (COF_p). The COF_p and polymer matrix are highly compatible because they have the same segment. The polymer matrix was induced to penetrate the oversized COF_p, resulting in an amino-environmental pore wall and appropriately sized CO₂-selective channels dispersed in MMMs. The MMMs exhibited satisfactory membrane performance for CO₂/N₂, CO₂/CH₄, and CO₂/H₂ separation. A CO₂ transport model for preferential adsorption and transport is clearly presented for the first time. The membrane separation mechanism is also discussed. This work demonstrates potential applications for material, interface, and membrane investigations.

Biomimetic Membranes as a Technology Platform: Challenges and Opportunities

Biomimetic membranes are attracting increased attention due to the huge potential of using biological functional components and processes as an inspirational basis for technology development. Indeed, this has led to several new membrane designs and applications. However, there are still a number of issues which need attention. Here, I will discuss three examples of biomimetic membrane developments within the areas of water treatment, energy conversion, and biomedicine with a focus on challenges and applicability. While the water treatment area has witnessed some progress in developing biomimetic membranes of which some are now commercially available, other areas are still far from being translated into technology. For energy conversion, there has been much focus on using bacteriorhodopsin proteins, but energy densities have so far not reached sufficient levels to be competitive with state-of-the-art photovoltaic cells. For biomedical (e.g., drug delivery) applications the research focus has been on the mechanism of action, and much less on the delivery 'per se'. Thus, in order for these areas to move forward, we need to address some hard questions: is bacteriorhodopsin really the optimal light harvester to be used in energy conversion? And how do we ensure that biomedical nano-carriers covered with biomimetic membrane material ever reach their target cells/tissue in sufficient quantities? In addition to these area-specific questions the general issue of production cost and scalability must also be treated in order to ensure efficient translation of biomimetic membrane concepts into reality.

Effects of nanofillers on the characteristics and performance of PEBA-based mixed matrix membranes

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) with superior structural and functional properties provide an interesting approach to enhance the separation properties of polymer membranes. As a matter of fact, MMMs combine the advantages of both components; polymeric continuous phase and nanoparticle dispersed phase. Generally, the separation performance of polymeric membranes suffers from an upper-performance limit. Hence, the incorporation of nanoparticles helps to overcome such limitations. Block copolymers such as poly(ether-block-amide) (PEBA) composed of immiscible soft ether segments as well as hard amide segments have been shown as excellent materials for the synthesis of membranes. Consequently, PEBA membranes have been extensively used in scientific research and industrial processes. It is thus aimed to provide an overview of PEBA MMMs. This review is especially devoted to summarizing the effects of nanoparticle loading on PEBA performance and properties such as selectivity, permeability, thermal and mechanical properties, and others. In addition, the preparation techniques of PEBA MMMs and solvent selection are discussed. This article also discusses the many types of nanoparticles incorporated into PEBA membranes. Furthermore, the future direction in PEBA MMMs research for separation processes is briefly predicted.

Mixed-matrix materials using metal–organic polyhedra with enhanced compatibility for membrane gas separation

The dispersion of metal–organic polyhedra into polymer thin-films exploits the host/guest capabilities of the former and the processability of the latter.