Effect of a cyclic heating process on the CO 2 /N 2 separation performance and structure of a ceramic nanoporous membrane supporting the ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium tricyanomethanide

Comparison of CO2 Separation Efficiency from Flue Gases Based on Commonly Used Methods and Materials

The comparison study of CO₂ removal efficiency from flue gases at low pressures and temperatures is presented, based on commonly used methods and materials. Our own experimental results were compared and analyzed for different methods of CO₂ removal from flue gases: absorption in a packed column, adsorption in a packed column and membrane separation on polymeric and ceramic membranes, as well as on the developed supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs). The efficiency and competitiveness comparison of the investigated methods showed that SILMs obtained by coating of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim][Ac]) exhibit a high ideal CO₂/N₂ selectivity of 152, permeability of 2400 barrer and long term stability. Inexpensive and selective SILMs were prepared applying commercial membranes. Under similar experimental conditions, the absorption in aqueous Monoethanolamine (MEA) solutions is much faster than in ionic liquids (ILs), but gas and liquid flow rates in packed column sprayed with IL are limited due to the much higher viscosity and lower diffusion coefficient of IL. For CO₂ adsorption on activated carbons impregnated with amine or IL, only a small improvement in the adsorption properties was achieved. The experimental research was compared with the literature data to find a feasible solution based on commercially available methods and materials.

A Review on Ionic Liquid Gas Separation Membranes

Ionic liquids have attracted the attention of the industry and research community as versatile solvents with unique properties, such as ionic conductivity, low volatility, high solubility of gases and vapors, thermal stability, and the possibility to combine anions and cations to yield an almost endless list of different structures. These features open perspectives for numerous applications, such as the reaction medium for chemical synthesis, electrolytes for batteries, solvent for gas sorption processes, and also membranes for gas separation. In the search for better-performing membrane materials and membranes for gas and vapor separation, ionic liquids have been investigated extensively in the last decade and a half. This review gives a complete overview of the main developments in the field of ionic liquid membranes since their first introduction. It covers all different materials, membrane types, their preparation, pure and mixed gas transport properties, and examples of potential gas separation applications. Special systems will also be discussed, including facilitated transport membranes and mixed matrix membranes. The main strengths and weaknesses of the different membrane types will be discussed, subdividing them into supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs), poly(ionic liquids) or polymerized ionic liquids (PILs), polymer/ionic liquid blends (physically or chemically cross-linked 'ion-gels'), and PIL/IL blends. Since membrane processes are advancing as an energy-efficient alternative to traditional separation processes, having shown promising results for complex new separation challenges like carbon capture as well, they may be the key to developing a more sustainable future society. In this light, this review presents the state-of-the-art of ionic liquid membranes, to analyze their potential in the gas separation processes of the future.

Key Applications and Potential Limitations of Ionic Liquid Membranes in the Gas Separation Process of CO2, CH4, N2, H2 or Mixtures of These Gases from Various Gas Streams

Heightened levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) have prompted research into techniques for their capture and separation, including membrane separation, chemical looping, and cryogenic distillation. Ionic liquids, due to their negligible vapour pressure, thermal stability, and broad electrochemical stability have expanded their application in gas separations. This work provides an overview of the recent developments and applications of ionic liquid membranes (ILMs) for gas separation by focusing on the separation of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrogen (N₂), hydrogen (H₂)_, or mixtures of these gases from various gas streams. The three general types of ILMs, such as supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs), ionic liquid polymeric membranes (ILPMs), and ionic liquid mixed-matrix membranes (ILMMMs) for the separation of various mixed gas systems, are discussed in detail. Furthermore, issues, challenges, computational studies and future perspectives for ILMs are also considered. The results of the analysis show that SILMs, ILPMs, and the ILMMs are very promising membranes that have great potential in gas separation processes. They offer a wide range of permeabilities and selectivities for CO₂, CH₄, N₂, H₂ or mixtures of these gases. In addition, a comparison was made based on the selectivity and permeability of SILMs, ILPMs, and ILMMMs for CO₂/CH₄ separation based on a Robeson’s upper bound curves.

Metal Organic Framework - Based Mixed Matrix Membranes for Carbon Dioxide Separation: Recent Advances and Future Directions

Gas separation and purification using polymeric membranes is a promising technology that constitutes an energy-efficient and eco-friendly process for large scale integration. However, pristine polymeric membranes typically suffer from the trade-off between permeability and selectivity represented by the Robeson's upper bound. Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) synthesized by the addition of porous nano-fillers into polymer matrices, can enable a simultaneous increase in selectivity and permeability. Among the various porous fillers, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are recognized in recent days as a promising filler material for the fabrication of MMMs. In this article, we review representative examples of MMMs prepared by dispersion of MOFs into polymer matrices or by deposition on the surface of polymeric membranes. Addition of MOFs into other continuous phases, such as ionic liquids, are also included. CO2 separation from hydrocarbons, H2, N2, and the like is emphasized. Hybrid fillers based on composites of MOFs with other nanomaterials, e.g., of MOF/GO, MOF/CNTs, and functionalized MOFs, are also presented and discussed. Synergetic effects and the result of interactions between filler/matrix and filler/filler are reviewed, and the impact of filler and matrix types and compositions, filler loading, surface area, porosity, pore sizes, and surface functionalities on tuning permeability are discoursed. Finally, selectivity, thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability of the resulting MMMs are analyzed. The review concludes with a perspective of up-scaling of such systems for CO2 separation, including an overview of the most promising MMM systems.

Recent Advances in Applications of Supported Ionic Liquids

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The supported ionic liquids have shown immense potential for numerous applications in catalysis and separation science. In the present review, the remarkable contribution of supported ionic liquids has been highlighted. The main emphasis has been laid on describing the facile separation of gas from binary gas mixtures owing to the capability of selective transport of permeable gases across supported membranes and removal of environmentally hazard sulfur compounds from fuels. The catalytic action of supported ionic liquids has been discussed in other applications such as biodiesel (biofuel) synthesis by transesterification/esterification processes, waste CO2 fixation into advantageous cyclic carbonates, and various chemical transformations in organic green synthesis. This review enclosed a maximum of the published data of the last ten years and also recently accomplished work concerning applications in various research areas like separation sciences, chemical transformations in organic green synthesis, biofuel synthesis, waste CO2 fixation, and purification of fuels by desulfurization.