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Arshad N, Batool SR, Razzaq S, Arshad M, Rasheed A, Ashraf M, Nawab Y, Nazeer MA. Recent advancements in polyurethane-based membranes for gas separation. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118953. [PMID: 38636643 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Gas separation membranes are critical in a variety of environmental research and industrial applications. These membranes are designed to selectively allow some gases to flow while blocking others, allowing for the separation and purification of gases for a variety of applications. Therefore, the demand for fast and energy-efficient gas separation techniques is of central interest for many chemical and energy production diligences due to the intensified levels of greenhouse and industrial gases. This encourages the researchers to innovate techniques for capturing and separating these gases, including membrane separation techniques. Polymeric membranes play a significant role in gas separations by capturing gases from the fuel combustion process, purifying chemical raw material used for plastic production, and isolating pure and noncombustible gases. Polyurethane-based membrane technology offers an excellent knack for gas separation applications and has also been considered more energy-efficient than conventional phase change separation methodologies. This review article reveals a thorough delineation of the current developments and efforts made for PU membranes. It further explains its uses for the separation of valuable gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen (H2), nitrogen (N2), methane (CH4), or a mixture of gases from a variety of gas spillages. Polyurethane (PU) is an excellent choice of material and a leading candidate for producing gas-separating membranes because of its outstanding chemical chemistry, good mechanical abilities, higher permeability, and variable microstructure. The presence of PU improves several characteristics of gas-separating membranes. Selectivity and separation efficiency of PU-centered membranes are enhanced through modifications such as blending with other polymers, use of nanoparticles (silica, metal oxides, alumina, zeolite), and interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) formation. This manuscript critically analyzes the various gas transport methods and selection criteria for the fabrication of PU membranes. It also covers the challenges facing the development of PU-membrane-based separation procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noureen Arshad
- School of Engineering and Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan; Liberty Mills Limited, Karachi, 75700, Pakistan.
| | - Syeda Rubab Batool
- School of Engineering and Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan
| | - Sadia Razzaq
- School of Engineering and Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan
| | - Mubeen Arshad
- Department of Prosthodontics, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, 74600, Pakistan
| | - Abher Rasheed
- School of Engineering and Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan
| | - Munir Ashraf
- School of Engineering and Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan; Functional Textile Research Group, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan
| | - Yasir Nawab
- School of Engineering and Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan; National Center for Composite Materials, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Anwaar Nazeer
- School of Engineering and Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan; Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Laboratory, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan.
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Abstract
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and ionic liquids (ILs) represent promising materials for adsorption separation. ILs incorporated into MOF materials (denoted as IL/MOF composites) have been developed, and IL/MOF composites combine the advantages of MOFs and ILs to achieve enhanced performance in the adsorption-based separation of fluid mixtures. The designed different ILs are introduced into the various MOFs to tailor their functional properties, which affect the optimal adsorptive separation performance. In this Perspective, the rational fabrication of IL/MOF composites is presented, and their functional properties are demonstrated. This paper provides a critical overview of an emergent class of materials termed IL/MOF composites as well as the recent advances in the applications of IL/MOF composites as adsorbents or membranes in fluid separation. Furthermore, the applications of IL/MOF in adsorptive gas separations (CO2 capture from flue gas, natural gas purification, separation of acetylene and ethylene, indoor pollutants removal) and liquid separations (separation of bioactive components, organic-contaminant removal, adsorptive desulfurization, radionuclide removal) are discussed. Finally, the existing challenges of IL/MOF are highlighted, and an appropriate design strategy direction for the effective exploration of new IL/MOF adsorptive materials is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqin Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Process of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China
| | - Kai Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Process of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China
| | - Ruili Guo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Process of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China
| | - Zhong Wei
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Process of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China
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Maqsood K, Jamil A, Ahmed A, Sutisna B, Nunes S, Ulbricht M. Effect of TiO 2 on Thermal, Mechanical, and Gas Separation Performances of Polyetherimide-Polyvinyl Acetate Blend Membranes. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:734. [PMID: 37623795 PMCID: PMC10456700 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13080734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Blend membranes consisting of two polymer pairs improve gas separation, but compromise mechanical and thermal properties. To address this, incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles has been suggested, to enhance interactions between polymer phases. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the impact of TiO2 as a filler on the thermal, surface mechanical, as well as gas separation properties of blend membranes. Blend polymeric membranes consisting of polyetherimide (PEI) and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) with blend ratios of (99:1) and (98:2) were developed via a wet-phase inversion technique. In the latter, TiO2 was incorporated in ratios of 1 and 2 wt.% while maintaining a blend ratio of (98:2). TGA and DSC analyses were used to examine thermal properties, and nano-indentation tests were carried out to ascertain surface mechanical characteristics. On the other hand, a gas permeation set-up was used to determine gas separation performance. TGA tests showed that blend membranes containing TiO2 had better thermal characteristics. Indentation tests showed that TiO2-containing membranes exhibited greater surface hardness compared to other membranes. The results of gas permeation experiments showed that TiO2-containing membranes had better separation characteristics. PEI-PVAc blend membranes with 2 wt.% TiO2 as filler displayed superior separation performance for both gas pairs (CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2). The compatibility between the rubbery and glassy phases of blend membranes was improved as a result of the inclusion of TiO2, which further benefited their thermal, surface mechanical, and gas separation performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khuram Maqsood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 23890, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asif Jamil
- Department of Chemical, Polymer and Composite Materials Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (New Campus), Lahore 39021, Pakistan
| | - Anas Ahmed
- Department of Industrial and System Engineering, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 23890, Saudi Arabia
| | - Burhannudin Sutisna
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Bandung Institute of Technology, Jalan Let. Jen. Purn. Dr. (HC). Mashudi No.1, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia
| | - Suzana Nunes
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mathias Ulbricht
- Lehrstuhl für Technische Chemie II, Universität Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
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