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.
Highlights
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Their study concluded that the morphology of the three membranes produced dense structures and were able to diffuse the permeation through pressure, concentration or the potential gradient [105]
The morphology and performance of membranes are significantly affected by parameters such as the type of polymer matrix and the inorganic fillers interacting between the two phases [110]
Summary
Sea levels are rising, biodiversity is compromised and the animal population is slowly becoming endangered [2,3]. These results are due to anthropogenic sources, which contribute up to 80% of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) [4]. This steady contribution from anthropogenic sources is because of the global population growth [5] This results in higher demand for energy and, with an abundant availability of fossil fuels, emissions of CO2 will continue to increase as well [5]. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it has been predicted that by 2035, the CO2 levels will rise to 450 ppm, causing an increase in global temperature of 2 ◦C [6]
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