Biopolymer-Based Mixed Matrix Membranes (MMMs) for CO/CH Separation: Experimental and Modeling Evaluation.

Alternative materials are needed to tackle the sustainability of membrane fabrication in light of the circular economy, so that membrane technology keeps playing a role as sustainable technology in CO separation processes. In this work, chitosan (CS)-based mixed matrix thin layers have been coated onto commercial polyethersulfone (PES) supports. The CS matrix was loaded by non-toxic 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ionic liquid (IL) and/or laminar nanoporous AM-4 and UZAR-S3 silicates prepared without costly organic surfactants to improve CO permselectivity and mechanical robustness.