Biopolymer-based membranes for CO2 separation and filtration

What is it about?

Rising carbon dioxide levels are driving climate change, and industries need cleaner ways to capture CO₂. This chapter explains how membranes made from natural materials—such as cellulose, starch, chitosan, PLA, and PHA—can help separate CO₂ from other gases. These biopolymer membranes are renewable, biodegradable, and energy‑efficient, offering a greener alternative to synthetic materials. The chapter shows how each biopolymer works, their strengths, and how additives like nanoparticles or metal‑organic frameworks can improve CO₂ separation performance. Overall, biopolymer membranes present a promising path toward more sustainable CO₂ capture technologies.

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Photo by Karim MANJRA on Unsplash

Photo by Karim MANJRA on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This work is timely because it addresses the urgent need for cleaner CO₂‑capture technologies at a moment when atmospheric CO₂ levels continue to rise sharply. It is unique in showing how renewable biopolymers—cellulose acetate, starch, chitosan, PLA, and PHA—can replace conventional fossil‑based membranes, offering a more sustainable path for gas separation. The chapter also highlights advanced material innovations, such as nanofillers, ionic liquids, and metal‑organic frameworks, which significantly boost CO₂ selectivity and permeability. This combination of natural materials and modern enhancements positions biopolymer membranes as a promising solution for industrial CO₂ capture.