Abstract

Polymeric membrane technology has emerged as a promising approach for industrial gas separation and carbon dioxide capture, offering energy efficiency, operational simplicity, and environmental benefits compared to conventional separation methods. This review examines recent advances in polymeric membrane materials, structures, and processes for gas separation applications with a particular focus on air separation and CO2 capture. We discuss fundamental challenges including the permeability-selectivity trade-off, physical aging, and plasticization, alongside innovative strategies to overcome these limitations through material design, mixed-matrix formulations, and membrane fabrication techniques. Special attention is given to emerging applications in air separation (oxygen/nitrogen), which represents a significant industrial market. The review concludes by identifying promising research directions and discussing the practical considerations for industrial implementation of these technologies, highlighting the continued importance of polymeric membranes in addressing global energy and environmental challenges.