Recent developments of anti-plasticized membranes for aggressive CO2 separation

• Published in: Green chemical engineering 2023-03, Vol.4 (1), p.1-16
• Main Authors: Sun, Yongchao, Wang, Xiaoyu, Li, Xiangcun, Xiao, Wu, Dai, Yan, Ma, Canghai, He, Gaohong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide; High feed pressure; Inorganic membranes; Mixed matrix membranes; Plasticization; Polymeric membranes
• ISSN: 2666-9528; 2666-9528
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gce.2022.09.001

Membrane separation technology provides an effective alternative to mitigate the massive carbon emission with high carbon capture productivity and efficiency. In the context of operating membranes under high CO2 pressures allows increased separation productivity and reduced gas compression cost, which, however, often leads to CO2 induced plasticization, a key hurdle for current gas separation membranes. In this review, we reviewed the latest development of membranes with anti-plasticization resistance, potentially suited for operation under high CO2 feed streams. Specifically, the separation performance of polymeric membranes, inorganic membranes, and mixed matrix membranes under high CO2 feed pressures are discussed. Approaches to enhance CO2 induced plasticization of those membranes are also summarized. We conclude the recent progress of membranes for high CO2 pressures with perspectives and an outlook for future development. [Display omitted] •This review focuses on membranes with enhanced plasticization resistance for high pressure CO2 separation.•Polymeric membranes, inorganic membranes, and mixed matrix membranes under high CO2 feed pressures are discussed.•The ways to overcome the CO2 induced plasticization of membranes are covered.•Perspectives and outlook for future work to enhance CO2 plasticization resistance of membranes are summarized.