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This research focuses on optimizing CO2/N2 separation through the development of mixed matrix membranes with enhanced performance.

February 26, 2026Open Access

Tailoring CO2/N2 Separation Through Multi-Filler/Pebax Mixed Matrix Membranes: Roles of Activated char, Modified Perlite, and Mxene

Key Points

This research focuses on optimizing CO2/N2 separation through the development of mixed matrix membranes with enhanced performance.
Fabricated Pebax-based mixed matrix membranes with dual fillers: activated carbon and modified perlite.
Conducted gas permeation tests at 35 °C and 2 bar to evaluate membrane performance.
Characterized membrane properties using BET, FESEM, XRD, and DSC techniques.
Achieved maximum CO2 permeability of 350.49 Barrer and selectivity of 73 in specific membrane configurations.
Demonstrated dual-filler membranes outperform single-filler and neat Pebax membranes.
Results indicate breakthrough performance in CO2/N2 separation that exceeds previous benchmarks.

Abstract

• dual-fillers/Pebax MMM boost CO 2 selectivity and permeability. • The MMMs containing NaEP/AC and AC/MX possess a maximum of 350 Barrer and 73 selectivity. • Hybrid fillers increase the stability, strength, and separation efficiency of the membrane. • Dual-filler approach allows for high-performance, scalable CO 2 /N 2 The development of high-performance membranes for CO 2 /N 2 separation is crucial for greenhouse gas mitigation and industrial gas purification. This work addresses the permeability-selectivity trade-off in conventional polymeric membranes by fabricating Pebax-based mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) incorporating leather-derived activated carbon (AC), sodium hydroxide-modified expanded perlite (NaEP), and MXene (MX) as hybrid organic–inorganic fillers. Systematic gas permeation tests at 35 °C and 2 bar revealed that dual-filler MMMs outperformed both single-filler and neat Pebax membranes. The Pebax/AC/NaEP (1:0.8) membrane achieved the highest CO 2 permeability (350.49 Barrer) and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity (58.52), while Pebax/AC/MX (1:0.8) exhibited exceptional selectivity (73.41) with substantial CO 2 permeability (171.77 Barrer) among the tested compositions. The enhanced performance stems from synergistic effects: AC provides microporous CO 2 -philic sorption sites; NaEP introduces Na + -mediated basicity and improves interfacial compatibility; and MX offers molecular-sieving capability and strong electrostatic interactions with CO 2 . Comprehensive characterization (BET, FESEM, XRD, DSC) confirmed hierarchical porosity, homogeneous filler dispersion, preserved semi-crystallinity, and improved thermal stability. Contact angle and tensile tests further demonstrated increased tunable surface polarity and mechanical robustness. These results verify the synergistic role of organic-inorganic hybrid fillers for the promotion of advanced membrane technology in CO 2 capture with high efficiency and scalability. Notably, the best-performing membranes exceed the 2008 Robeson upper bound and approach the 2019 line for CO 2 /N 2 separation, demonstrating breakthrough performance in overcoming the permeability-selectivity trade-off.

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Arianfard et al. (Sun,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/699f95841bc9fecf3dab34f7 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109752

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