Metal Organic Framework — Based Mixed Matrix Membranes for Carbon Dioxide Separation: Recent Advances and Future Directions

Abstract

Gas separation and purification using polymeric membranes is a promising technology that constitutes an energy-efficient and eco-friendly process for large scale integration. However, pristine polymeric membranes typically suffer from the trade-off between permeability and selectivity represented by the Robeson's upper bound. Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) synthesized by the addition of porous nano-fillers into polymer matrices, can enable a simultaneous increase in selectivity and permeability. Among the various porous fillers, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are recognized in recent days as a promising filler material for the fabrication of MMMs. In this article, we review representative examples of MMMs prepared by dispersion of MOFs into polymer matrices or by deposition on the surface of polymeric membranes. Addition of MOFs into other continuous phases, such as ionic liquids, are also included. CO 2 separation from hydrocarbons, H 2 , N 2 , and the like is emphasized. Hybrid fillers based on composites of MOFs with other nanomaterials, e.g., of MOF/GO, MOF/CNTs, and functionalized MOFs, are also presented and discussed. Synergetic effects and the result of interactions between filler/matrix and filler/filler are reviewed, and the impact of filler and matrix types and compositions, filler loading, surface area, porosity, pore sizes, and surface functionalities on tuning permeability are discoursed. Finally, selectivity, thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability of the resulting MMMs are analyzed. The review concludes with a perspective of up-scaling of such systems for CO 2 separation, including an overview of the most promising MMM systems.

A Study of the Reinforcement Effect of MWCNTs onto Polyimide Flat Sheet Membranes

“…The main result of this study was that amine functionalized MWNT/Pebax and the 6% -COOH functionalized/Pebax showed outstanding performance on CO 2 /N 2 separation at low working pressure and high working pressure, respectively. Many other works also refer to the effect of the filler material type and the concentration on the membrane on gas permeability/selectivity performance, while many different approaches are reported concerning the main mechanism contribution to the final mixed matrix membrane properties [70][71][72][73][74][75][76].…”

CO2/CH4 and He/N2 Separation Properties and Water Permeability Valuation of Mixed Matrix MWCNTs-Based Cellulose Acetate Flat Sheet Membranes: A Study of the Optimization of the Filler Material Dispersion Method

“…Another crucial industrial separation is that of CO 2 /CH 4 as, among other separation processes, it is one of the basic separations during the natural gas sweetening. The large amounts of CO 2 which are emitted to the atmosphere are associated with fossil fuel consumption to fulfill the energy demands for power generation, transportation, industry needs, and other anthropogenic activities, which are generally accepted as the leading cause of climate change and global warming [ 51 ]. Until today, the current CO 2 capturing at large scale takes place mainly via regenerative absorption of CO 2 using alkanol amines [ 52 ].…”

Recent Advances in Polymer-Inorganic Mixed Matrix Membranes for CO2 Separation

“…In this regard, numerous MOF-MMMs have been reported in recent years. The remarkable progresses in, and remaining challenges for, MOF-MMMs have been extensively summarized in several insightful reviews [84][85][86][87]. In this miniature review, we mainly focus on the most commonly studied MOFs involved in the development of MOF-MMMs for CO2- It was evident that with the addition of IL, the interfacial voids were reduced, with a consequentially improved CO 2 selectivity against both N 2 and H 2 [78].…”