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Abstract
Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) have emerged as strong contenders to conventional membranes for gas and liquid separations. Although numerous studies on filler/matrix combinations have been conducted and thoroughly reviewed, a review of activated carbon (AC) as a filler has thus far been minimal. This review intends to fill this gap via critically analyzing the state-of-the-art on AC as a filler in MMMs. Aspects of AC-MMM research, with emphasis on AC fabrication from biomass pyrolysis, AC-MMM fabrication and resulting properties, and influence of AC on MMM performance are thoroughly elucidated. Furthermore, the various applications that have been investigated with AC-MMM membranes, and several predictive models that have been specifically utilized for AC-MMMs are also discussed.
Abbreviations
| ABS | = | acetonitrile butadiene styrene |
| AC | = | activated carbon |
| CAP | = | cellulose acetate phthalate |
| CMS | = | carbon molecular sieves |
| CNF | = | cellulose nanofiber |
| COD | = | chemical oxygen demand |
| CTA | = | cellulose triacetate |
| E. coli | = | Escherichia coli |
| FFV | = | fractional free volume |
| GPG | = | Gonzo-Parentis-Gottifred |
| HA | = | hippuric acid |
| IS | = | indoxyl sulfate |
| KH550 | = | NH2(CH2)3Si(OC2H5)3 |
| LMH | = | Lm−2h−1 |
| MMM | = | mixed matrix membrane |
| PAC | = | powdered activated carbon |
| PAE | = | polyamide-amine-epichlorohydrin |
| PBT | = | protein bound toxins |
| PCS | = | p-cresylsulfate |
| PDMS | = | polydimethylsiloxane |
| PEBAX 2533 | = | polyether block amide |
| PEG | = | polyethylene glycol |
| PEI | = | polyethylenimine |
| PES | = | polyethersulfone |
| POMS | = | poly(octylmethylsiloxane) |
| PPSU | = | polyphenylsulfone |
| PSF | = | polysulfone |
| PVC | = | polyvinyl chloride |
| PVP | = | polyvinylpyrrolidone |
| PWF | = | pure water flux |
| SEM | = | scanning electron microscopy |
| U | = | uranium |
| UV254 | = | measured by UV-Vis at 254 nm |
| YDH-171 | = | CH2CH- Si(OCH3)3 |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. This research was supported by North Dakota Department of Commerce (Fund 16-08-J1-144), NASA EPSCoR (NNX15AK49A), and ND EPSCoR (FAR0023660). The authors would like to acknowledge valuable communication with Essam Aljundi, KFUPM for his insight into AC-polymer interactions, and membrane surface chemistry as well as Elio Gonzo, INIQUI, and Vinh Hoang, Laval University, for their insight into predictive models, specifically the GPG model and its derivation.