Innovative Method for Porous Graphene Membranes
A team of researchers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has made a significant breakthrough in developing a scalable technique for creating porous graphene membranes. These membranes can selectively filter CO₂ from gas mixtures. Their new approach reduces production costs while enhancing the quality and performance of the membranes, paving the way for practical applications in carbon capture and more.
Graphene membranes are renowned for their ability to separate gases effectively. They can be engineered with precisely sized pores that allow CO₂ to pass through while blocking larger molecules like nitrogen. This characteristic makes them perfect for capturing CO₂ emissions from power plants and industrial processes. However, traditional manufacturing methods have been costly and complex.
Overcoming Manufacturing Challenges
The EPFL team addressed these challenges head-on. They developed a technique to grow high-quality graphene on low-cost copper foils, which drastically cuts material costs. Additionally, they utilized a chemical process involving ozone (O₃) to etch tiny pores into the graphene, facilitating selective CO₂ filtration. The researchers improved the interaction between gas and graphene to ensure uniform pore formation across large surfaces.
To tackle membrane fragility, the team introduced an innovative transfer technique. Unlike previous methods that floated the delicate graphene film onto a support—often leading to cracks—they designed a direct transfer process inside the membrane module. This method eliminates handling issues and significantly reduces failure rates. With this new approach, they successfully created 50 cm² graphene membranes, much larger than previously possible, with exceptional integrity and performance.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking advancement opens new avenues for effective carbon capture technologies, significantly contributing to environmental sustainability.
