Recently, an improved type of mixed-matrix membrane materials has been developed by the Atmospheric Environment and Bioenergy Team from Tianjin University, a great breakthrough in the exploration of capturing carbon dioxide through membrane separation. The relevant outcome was published as the cover article onGreenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, an authoritative journal worldwide.

Greenhouse Effect, a phenomenon mainly caused by CO2 emissions, is one of the major environmental problems crimping human development. It has long been a hot research field for scientists to find ways to capture CO2 emissions and utilize it.

As a new technological method for capturing CO2, membrane separation refers to collect the gas through membrane materials and is characterized by higher efficiency and easier operating.

How to make the materials more breathable to achieve a better gas-separating performance is the crux in this regard. Instead of the conventional practice of using water and ethanol as prep solvent for PEBAX membrane, the team from TJU creatively chose methyl n-amyl ketone as the substitute after repeated experiments on different solvents. The result of those experiments showed that membrane materials made from methyl n-amyl ketone would be more breathable thanks to a more scientific distribution of the carbon nanotubes inside. Through this method, the team has successfully improved the performance of the CO2-separating process, reaching the idealist result on theory so far.

“It has provided a brand-new train of thought for capturing CO2,” said Li Run, a member of the team, “and we hope our technology will help coal-fired power plants and chemical companies better handle smog and play a bigger role in controlling greenhouse gas emissions in the future.”

By Qin QI

Editor: Eva Yin