Polymeric mixed matrix membranes containing zeolites as a filler for gas separation applications: A review

Polymeric membrane technology has received extensive attention in the field of gas separation, recently. However, the tradeoff between permeability and selectivity is one of the biggest problems faced by pure polymer membranes, which greatly limits their further application in the chemical and petrochemical industries. To enhance gas separation performances, recent works have focused on improving polymeric membranes selectivity and permeability by fabricating mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). Inorganic zeolite materials distributed in the organic polymer matrix enhance the separation performance of the membranes well beyond the intrinsic properties of the polymer matrix. This concept combines the advantages of both components: high selectivity of zeolite molecular sieve, and mechanical integrity as well as economical processability of the polymeric materials. In this paper gas permeation mechanism through polymeric and zeolitic membranes, material selection for MMMs and their interaction with each other were reviewed. Also, interfacial morphology between zeolite and polymer in MMMs and modification methods of this interfacial region were discussed. In addition, the effect of different parameters such as zeolite loading, zeolite pore size, zeolite particle size, etc. on gas permeation tests through MMMs was critically reviewed.