Polymer/Inorganic Composite Membranes for Gas Separations

Membranes that efficiently separate gasses such as H2 from coal gas, CO2 from flue gas, and O2 from air

The Need

Carbon dioxide, a major by-product of coal and natural gas fueled power plants, is a primary target for reduction of greenhouse gases. Two current approaches to produce inorganic membranes, gas phase synthesis and colloidal synthesis, are subject to defects in the deposition method and surface and environmental contamination. There is a need for efficient and cost-effective carbon capture technologies.

The Technology

Researchers at The Ohio State University, led by Dr. Winston Ho, developed a three-layer membrane comprised of a substrate of a non-organic fibrous layer, an organic polymer support layer, and a selectively permeable organic polymer layer. The composition of the membrane layers can be modified to achieve specific selection and throughput criteria.

Commercial Applications

  • Carbon capture, utilization & storage technologies
  • Power plants
  • Environmental
  • Membrane filtration

Benefits/Advantages

  • Composed of three components which allow for a versatility in term of selectivity and optimization
  • Can be modified to achieve specific selection and throughput criteria
  • Resists the formation of pinhole defects and does not experience the spreading effect observed in most membranes
  • Provides higher flux, selectivity, and thermal stability than existing membrane and other separation technologies
  • Offers great potential for energy-efficient gas separations, such as H2 from coal gas, CO2 from flue gas, O2 from air, and olefins from parafins.

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