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Review
. 2021 Jul 10;11(7):519.
doi: 10.3390/membranes11070519.

A Prospective Concept on the Fabrication of Blend PES/PEG/DMF/NMP Mixed Matrix Membranes with Functionalised Carbon Nanotubes for CO2/N2 Separation

Ashvin Viknesh Mahenthiran  1 , Zeinab Abbas Jawad  2
Affiliations
Review

A Prospective Concept on the Fabrication of Blend PES/PEG/DMF/NMP Mixed Matrix Membranes with Functionalised Carbon Nanotubes for CO2/N2 Separation

Ashvin Viknesh Mahenthiran et al. Membranes (Basel). .

Abstract

With an ever-increasing global population, the combustion of fossil fuels has risen immensely to meet the demand for electricity, resulting in significant increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In recent years, CO2 separation technology, such as membrane technology, has become highly desirable. Fabricated mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) have the most desirable gas separation performances, as these membranes have the ability to overcome the trade-off limitations. In this paper, blended MMMs are reviewed along with two polymers, namely polyether sulfone (PES) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Both polymers can efficiently separate CO2 because of their chemical properties. In addition, blended N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and dimethylformamide (DMF) solvents were also reviewed to understand the impact of blended MMMs' morphology on separation of CO2. However, the fabricated MMMs had challenges, such as filler agglomeration and void formation. To combat this, functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs-F) fillers were utilised to aid gas separation performance and polymer compatibility issues. Additionally, a summary of the different fabrication techniques was identified to further optimise the fabrication methodology. Thus, a blended MMM fabricated using PES, PEG, NMP, DMF and MWCNTs-F is believed to improve CO2/nitrogen separation.

Keywords: CO2/N2 separation; blend mixed matrix membrane; dimethylformamide; methyl-2-pyrrolidone; polyether sulfone; polyethylene glycol.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic of membrane gas separation process. The figure reproduced with permission from [62] Access Date: 14 August 2020.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic of two membrane structures. The figure reproduced with permission from [62] Access Date: 14 August 2020.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Selectivity of all three types of membranes from the Robeson plot between permeability and selectivity [83].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Overview of the challenges in MMMs [87].
Figure 5
Figure 5
Various structures of CNTs [69].
Figure 6
Figure 6
Schematic of fabrication via track etching using a single ion irradiation set-up [122].
Figure 7
Figure 7
Schematic of phase inversion [69].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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