Facilitated Transport Membranes (FTMs) for CO2 Separation from Flue Gas (CO2/N2)

Abstract

AbstractMembrane technology is broadly considered as one of the best options for mitigating CO2 emissions from the combustion or utilization of fuels that are major sources of flue gas. Various membranes with different compositions and functionalities have already been reported that enable extremely selective CO2 transport by a facilitated transport mechanism. These membranes are called Facilitated Transport Membranes (FTMs). FTMs have been broadly used in a variety of industrial fields due to their extraordinary abilities for separation of targeted species. In spite of extensive research on FTMs, the trade-off relationship between their stability and separation efficiency has always been a challenge. However, it is worth mentioning that the trade-off between membrane permeability and selectivity for CO2 separation from flue gas has surpassed the upper bound limit given in the Robeson graph. This progress has been achieved due to the fabrication of functionalized FTMs based on a variety of polymers, copolymers, nanofillers, mobile and fixed-site carriers, etc. Membrane technologists are also striving towards more robust FTMs for the separation of CO2 so that they can be utilized commercially. In this chapter, a wide variety of FTMs are discussed based on their composition, functional properties, stability, operating conditions, and separation efficiency for CO2 separation from the flue gas streams.KeywordsFacilitated transport membranes (FTMs)Flue gas separationCO2/N2 separation CO2 captureMixed matrix membranes (MMMs)Composite membranes