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Membranes
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Advanced Membrane Technologies for Gas Capture and Clean Energy: Multiscale...
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Advanced Membrane Technologies for Gas Capture and Clean Energy: Multiscale Insights and Applications

A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Applications for Gas Separation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 3984

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kuo-Liang Chuang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, UK
Interests: advaned membrane material; green technology; gas separation; water treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Maria-Chiara Ferrari

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, UK
Interests: membranes; gas separation; carbon capture; reverse electrodialysis; diffusion in polymers

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research on advanced membrane technologies for gas capture and energy-related applications. We welcome contributions that cover the entire development pipeline—from computational modeling and material design to experimental validation and field-scale implementation. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Development of novel membranes with high selectivity and permeability:

Focus on the synthesis and characterization of innovative membrane materials, including mixed-matrix membranes, functionalized polymers, and nanoporous structures, designed to enhance gas separation efficiency and stability.

  • Membrane materials for CO₂ capture, hydrogen purification, and biogas upgrading:

Exploration of membrane-based solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enabling clean energy transitions, with applications in carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen economy, and sustainable biogas processing.

  • Integrated membrane systems for clean energy processes:

Studies on hybrid or coupled membrane systems (e.g., membrane reactors, membrane-absorption systems) that enhance energy efficiency and process intensification in gas separation and energy production.

  • Simulation and machine learning approaches in membrane design:

Contributions that leverage computational modeling, molecular simulations, or AI/ML algorithms to predict membrane performance, optimize design parameters, or accelerate the discovery of new membrane materials.

  • Membrane performance under realistic or harsh operating conditions:

Investigations into membrane durability, fouling resistance, and long-term performance in demanding environments such as high pressure, temperature, or exposure to contaminants.

We invite researchers from academia and industry to submit original research articles, reviews, and perspectives to contribute to this evolving field. This Special Issue seeks to bridge fundamental research and practical deployment, fostering innovations that can drive sustainable and energy-efficient gas separation technologies forward.

Dr. Kuo-Liang Chuang
Prof. Dr. Maria-Chiara Ferrari
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • gas separation membranes
  • CO₂ capture
  • hydrogen purification
  • biogas upgrading
  • advanced membrane materials
  • membrane system integration
  • membrane simulation
  • machine learning in membrane design
  • harsh environment performance
  • energy-efficient gas processing

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 6334 KB  
Article
Effects of Hydraulic Diameters on CO2 Absorption in Flat-Plate Membrane Contactors with Inserted S-Ribbed Carbon Fiber Turbulence Promoters
by Chii-Dong Ho, Ping-Cheng Hsieh, Thiam Leng Chew and Jyun-Jhe Li
Membranes 2026, 16(5), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16050162 - 30 Apr 2026
Viewed by 373
Abstract
One-dimensional mass transfer resistance-in-series framework was developed theoretically and validated experimentally using a flat-plate polytetrafluoroethylene/polypropylene (PTFE/PP) membrane module to predict CO2 absorption fluxes and concentration distributions. The decline in CO2 absorption efficiency along the membrane module is primarily attributed to increased [...] Read more.
One-dimensional mass transfer resistance-in-series framework was developed theoretically and validated experimentally using a flat-plate polytetrafluoroethylene/polypropylene (PTFE/PP) membrane module to predict CO2 absorption fluxes and concentration distributions. The decline in CO2 absorption efficiency along the membrane module is primarily attributed to increased concentration polarization resistance and a reduced driving force concentration gradient. To alleviate these limitations, carbon fiber promoters were strategically embedded to suppress concentration polarization, reduce the mass transfer resistances, and enhance turbulence intensity. In the present study, device performance was further improved by implementing properly ascending or descending hydraulic equivalent widths along the absorbent feed channel. Under the descending configuration, an absorption flux enhancement of up to 44.94% was achieved relative to an empty-channel module (i.e., without S-ribbed carbon fiber inserts). Theoretical formulations were established to predict absorption fluxes under varying monoethanolamine (MEA) volumetric flow rates, CO2/N2 mixture flow rates, and inlet CO2 feed concentrations. The model predictions showed good agreement with experimental results obtained using MEA solutions under both ascending and descending hydraulic width operations, demonstrating effective mitigation of polarization effects and enhanced absorption flux along the absorbent feed channel. An economic assessment of the S-ribbed carbon fiber module was conducted by evaluating the trade-off between absorption flux enhancement and incremental power consumption. The results indicate that the proposed design provides a practical and economically viable approach for improving the performance of membrane-based CO2 capture technologies. In addition, an enhanced Sherwood number correlation, expressed in a simplified form, was developed and employed to estimate the mass transfer coefficients of CO2 membrane absorption modules incorporating S-ribbed carbon fiber promoters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Membrane Technologies for Gas Capture and Clean Energy: Multiscale Insights and Applications)
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Review

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20 pages, 2325 KB  
Review
Research Progress of Methane Membrane Separation Technology
by Xiujuan Feng, Haoyu Zhang, Haotong Guo, Chuhao Huang, Yiwen Fu, Shuqi Wang, Jing Yang, Jie Li and Yankun Ma
Membranes 2026, 16(4), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16040119 - 28 Mar 2026
Viewed by 606
Abstract
Membrane technology demonstrates broad prospects in the field of methane capture and purification due to its high efficiency and low energy consumption characteristics. This paper systematically reviews the research progress in membrane technology for methane separation in recent years, focusing on the design [...] Read more.
Membrane technology demonstrates broad prospects in the field of methane capture and purification due to its high efficiency and low energy consumption characteristics. This paper systematically reviews the research progress in membrane technology for methane separation in recent years, focusing on the design and optimization of membrane material systems, in-depth analysis of mass transfer mechanisms, and practical applications in areas such as biogas upgrading and natural gas decarbonization. Researchers have significantly enhanced membrane separation performance for CO2/CH4, CH4/N2, and other systems by developing novel material systems such as polymer membranes, inorganic membranes, and mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), combined with strategies like pore structure regulation, interface optimization, and functionalization. Although membrane technology has shown good economic feasibility and application potential in some scenarios, challenges such as long-term material stability, anti-plasticization capability, and large-scale manufacturing remain the main current obstacles. Future research should further focus on the development of novel membrane materials, process integration optimization, and intelligent process control to promote a greater role for membrane technology in the efficient utilization of methane resources and energy structure transformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Membrane Technologies for Gas Capture and Clean Energy: Multiscale Insights and Applications)
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17 pages, 1279 KB  
Review
Polysulfone Membranes: Here, There and Everywhere
by Pere Verdugo, Iwona Gulaczyk, Magdalena Olkiewicz, Josep M. Montornes, Marta Woźniak-Budych, Filip F. Pniewski, Iga Hołyńska-Iwan and Bartosz Tylkowski
Membranes 2026, 16(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16010035 - 5 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2306
Abstract
Polysulfone (PSU) membranes are widely recognized for their thermal stability, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance, making them suitable for diverse separation applications. This review highlights recent advances in PSU membrane development, focusing on fabrication techniques, structural modifications, and emerging applications. Phase inversion remains [...] Read more.
Polysulfone (PSU) membranes are widely recognized for their thermal stability, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance, making them suitable for diverse separation applications. This review highlights recent advances in PSU membrane development, focusing on fabrication techniques, structural modifications, and emerging applications. Phase inversion remains the predominant method for membrane synthesis, allowing precise control over morphology and performance. Functional enhancements through blending, chemical grafting, and incorporation of nanomaterials—such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), carbon nanotubes, and zwitterionic polymers—have significantly improved gas separation, and water purification., In gas separation, PSU-based mixed matrix membranes demonstrate enhanced CO2/CH4 selectivity, particularly when integrated with MOFs like ZIF-7 and ZIF-8. In water treatment, PSU membranes effectively remove algal toxins and heavy metals, with surface modifications improving hydrophilicity and antifouling properties. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in optimizing cross-linking strategies and understanding structure–property relationships. This review provides a comprehensive overview of PSU membrane technologies and outlines future directions for their development in sustainable and high-performance separation systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Membrane Technologies for Gas Capture and Clean Energy: Multiscale Insights and Applications)
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