Recent advancements in polyurethane-based membranes for gas separation

Noureen Arshad; Syeda Rubab Batool; Sadia Razzaq; Mubeen Arshad; Abher Rasheed; Munir Ashraf; Yasir Nawab; Muhammad Anwaar Nazeer

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2024.118953

Recent advancements in polyurethane-based membranes for gas separation

Environ Res. 2024 Apr 16;252(Pt 3):118953. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118953. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Noureen Arshad¹, Syeda Rubab Batool², Sadia Razzaq², Mubeen Arshad³, Abher Rasheed², Munir Ashraf⁴, Yasir Nawab⁵, Muhammad Anwaar Nazeer⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Engineering and Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan; Liberty Mills Limited, Karachi, 75700, Pakistan. Electronic address: noureenarshad751@gmail.com.
² School of Engineering and Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan.
³ Department of Prosthodontics, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, 74600, Pakistan.
⁴ School of Engineering and Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan; Functional Textile Research Group, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan.
⁵ School of Engineering and Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan; National Center for Composite Materials, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan.
⁶ School of Engineering and Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan; Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Laboratory, National Textile University, Faisalabad, 37610, Pakistan. Electronic address: Mnazeer13@ku.edu.tr.

PMID: 38636643
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118953

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.

Keywords: Gas separation; Interpenetrating polymer networks; Membrane fabrication; Mixed matrix membranes; PU-membrane; Polymer blend.

Publication types

Review