#Graphene makes its mark on gas separation
Polymer-based membranes for gas separation have a trade-off between high gas permeability and high gas selectivity, the so-called Robeson upper bound. By combining individual graphene oxide sheets with polymer spacers, in a sandwich style structure, Graphene Flagship researchers have been able to overcome such limit, separating gas quickly and efficiently.
Focusing on producing a gas separation device useful for carbon capture and storage, the researchers devised a protocol to separate CO2from H2. Hydrogen production, both from natural gas or in gasification of liquid or solid fuels, is often accompanied by the formation of a significant amount of CO2, which needs to be removed before the gas is used. Efficient separation of the CO2has greater potential for capture of this greenhouse gas.