PEBAX Membranes in Gas Separation: A Review

Gas separation by selective transport through polymeric membranes is one of the fastest growing branches of membrane technology. Membrane performance is primarily limited by material properties, for which, polyether/amide block copolymers often referred as PEBAX, have recently been employed successfullyin gas separation. PEBAX with its highly polar/nonpolar gas selectivity (e.g. H2S/CH4, CO2/H2, or CO2/N2), and typical permeation behavior of a rubbery polymer, is an interesting choice as a membrane material for removal of CO2 from synthesis,natural, and flue gases. These phase separated, segmented-block copolymers consist of linear chains of relatively rigid polyamide segments, interspersed with flexible polyether segments. This review highlights the most promising developments of the latest researches in gas separation using PEBAX as the membrane material.Here, effects of using different additives and various methods employed for modifying the structure and performance of PEBAX based membranes are explained and briefly discussed. Also, description of gas separation processes involved and different solvents for making PEBAX membranes presented in the literatureso far are presented to lay the foundation for more appropriate future research in the field.