Pushing the limits of block copolymer membranes for CO2 separation

The current work describes the synthesis and mass transport properties of a series of blend membranes based on a highly permeable polyether based segmented block copolymer and a poly(ethylene glycol) based additive. This series of polymers integrates the knowledge of molecular design and molecular blending and presents CO₂ permeabilities currently unknown to any polyether based block copolymer (system) known in literature. The concept presented is not limited to this specific case and hence opens a window of opportunity for further development of highly permeable block copolymer systems for CO₂ separation and in particular for use in post-combustion CO₂ capture.