Work

Sustainable Carbon Dots from Olive Pomace: Boosting CO 2 Separation in Mixed Matrix Iongel Membranes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) separation remains a critical challenge in mitigating industrial emissions, driving the development of innovative membrane technologies to improve separation performance. In this study, carbon dots (CDs) obtained from wet olive pomace were incorporated into mixed matrix iongel membranes (MMIMs) by UV-initiated free radical polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) in the presence of the [C 2 mim][TFSI] ionic liquid. Dense and defect-free MMIMs with suitable thermal stability were successfully prepared, achieving a homogeneous dispersion of CDs within the iongel matrix at loadings of up to 1 wt %. Gas permeation experiments revealed a significant enhancement in the CO 2 permeability and ideal selectivity upon the incorporation of CDs. The MMIM containing 0.5 wt % CDs exhibited the best performance, achieving a CO 2 permeability of 725 Barrer, along with CO 2 /N 2 and CO 2 /CH 4 selectivities of 40 and 22, respectively. This outstanding performance surpasses that of previously reported MMIMs and approaches the upper bounds of CO 2 /N 2 and CO 2 /CH 4 . Furthermore, the use of biomass-derived CDs as fillers not only improves the CO 2 separation performance of MMIMs, but also promotes the sustainable valorization of agricultural waste, offering both environmental and functional advantages.

Source: ACS Applied Polymer Materials

DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.5c00239

Authors: Diogo A. Sousa, Ana R. Nabais, José V. Prata, Liliana C. Tomé

Institutions: University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Universidade Politécnica de Lisboa, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, University of Coimbra

Language: English

Topic: Membrane Separation and Gas Transport

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500