Membranes for CO2 capture and separation: Progress in research and development for industrial applications

Industry interest in CO2 capture and separation has grown almost exponentially over the past decades. This paper aims to promote membrane technology as a viable solution for this application and provide a reference for the industry seeking efficient CO2 separation solutions. First, a brief summary of the basics of mass transport mechanisms, various membrane materials, and module configurations is presented as the basis for the discussion. Special focus has been paid on different membrane materials developed in the past few years. Then, the latest advances in CO2 separation membranes and processes in the context of industrial applications are outlined, including pilot tests carried out all over the world, as well as commercially available CO2 separation membrane materials and modules. Afterwards, the application of big data and machine learning on CO2 separation membranes have also been reviewed. Finally, challenges and gaps that hinder the implementation of membrane technology and future directions for membrane development from laboratory to industry are discussed.