Poly(ether-block-amide) Copolymer Membranes in CO₂ Separation Applications

Abstract

Poly(ether-block-amide) (PEBA, commercialized as Pebax) copolymer membranes show a highly promising platform for preparing high-performance membranes for CO 2 capture from process streams containing CH 4 and N 2 . Pebax combines high CO 2 affinity with the desired mechanical strength for polymeric membranes thanks to its flexible polyether segment and hard polyamide block, respectively. Furthermore, researchers have been improving the performance of these membranes by preparing a thin Pebax selective layer on top of porous supports and by incorporating inorganic and organic nanofillers into the Pebax matrix to overcome the permeance-selectivity limit. The chemical and structural characteristics of Pebax membranes according to the different fabrication techniques and parameters are discussed first. Then, the recent developments in terms of both Pebax-based thin film composite and mixed matrix membranes are summarized. Finally, thermal and water stabilities of these membranes are addressed.

Carbonic Anhydrase-Mimicking Supramolecular Nanoassemblies for Developing Carbon Capture Membranes

“…Figure a summarizes the CO 2 permeability and ideal CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of MMMs comprising various loadings of His-NPs. In agreement with a previous report, neat Pebax membranes had a CO 2 permeability and an ideal CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of ∼93 Barrer and ∼41, respectively.…”

Recent Progress on Pebax-Based Thin Film Nanocomposite Membranes for CO2 Capture: The State of the Art and Future Outlooks

“…Noteworthy, owing to the high price and toxicity of formic acid, the water/ethanol mixture is widely used in Pebax1657 fabrication. 189 In the case of Pebax1074, which contains long PA12, Wang et al 191 claimed that the use of a 1-propanol/water mixture led to a gelation effect at concentrations higher than 1 wt %. Therefore, single organic solvents such as 1-butanol, DMF, or NMP would be a better choice.…”

A robust eco-compatible microporous iron coordination polymer for CO2 capture

“…Therefore, Pebax®-3533 based membranes are prone to be more stable in the separation of a realistic humid flue gas. 34…”