Polymeric Gas Separation Membranes for Carbon Dioxide Removal

Abstract

The failure of recent UN Climate Change Conferences clearly indicated the increasing difficulty in forcing governments around the world to control carbon dioxide emission. In this context, carbon dioxide capture emerges as an important solution to overcome the dilemma between the economic development and the fight against global warming. Polymeric gas separation membrane is one of the most promising technologies to control the emission. In this study, glassy and rubbery polymers are both screened for their potential employments. Glassy polymers, such as polyimides, have good flexibility, heat and chemical resistance. However, they undergo physical aging and plasticization with the existence of carbon dioxide. Rubbery polymers, such as poly(ethylene oxide) and its derivatives, are the most suitable candidates to be fabricated into carbon dioxide selective membranes after extensive investigation in this thesis.