A comprehensive review on zeolite-based mixed matrix membranes for CO₂/CH₄ separation

Biogas consisting of carbon dioxide/methane (CO₂/CH₄) gas mixtures has emerged as an alternative renewable fuel to natural gas. The presence of CO₂ can decrease the calorific value and generate greenhouse gas. Hence, separating CO₂ from CH₄ is a vital step in enhancing the use of biogas. Zeolite and zeolite-based mixed matrix membrane (MMM) is considered an auspicious candidate for CO₂/CH₄ separation due to thermal and chemical stability. This review initially addresses the development of zeolite and zeolite-based MMM for the CO₂/CH₄ separation. The highest performance in terms of CO₂ permeance and CO₂/CH₄ selectivity was achieved using zeolite and zeolite-based MMM, which exhibited CO₂ permeance in the range of 2.0 × 10^{− 7}–7.0 × 10^{− 6} mol m^{− 2} s^{− 1} Pa^{− 1} with CO₂/CH₄ selectivity ranging from 3 to 300. Current trends directed toward improving CO₂/CH₄ selectivity via modification methods including post-treatment, ion-exchanged, amino silane-grafted, and ionic liquid encapsulated of zeolite-based MMM. Those modification methods improved the defect-free and interfacial adhesions between zeolite particulates and polymer matrices and subsequently enhanced the CO₂/CH₄ selectivity. The modifications via ionic liquid and silane methods more influenced the CO₂/CH₄ selectivity with 90 and 660, respectively. This review also focuses on the possible applications of zeolite-based MMM, which include the purification and treatment of water as well as biomedical applications. Lastly, future advances and opportunities for gas separation applications are also briefly discussed. This review aims to share knowledge regarding zeolite-based MMM and inspire new industrial applications.