A micro-mesoporous structure of ZTC was synthesized via an impregnation method, and the structure assisted in a faster CO ₂ adsorption–desorption equilibrium.

Green diesel is the second generation biofuel with the same structure as fossil fuels (alkanes), allowing this biofuel to provide excellent fuel properties over biodiesel such as higher energy content and lower hazardous gas emission.

This research introduces zeolite carbon composite (ZCC) as a new filler on polymeric membranes based on the BTDA-TDI/MDI (P84) co-polyimide for the air separation process. The separation performance was further improved by a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating to cover up the surface defect. The incorporation of 1 wt% ZCC into P84 co-polyimide matrix enhanced the O₂ permeability from 7.12 to 18.90 Barrer (2.65 times) and the O₂/N₂ selectivity from 4.11 to 4.92 Barrer (19.71% improvement). The PDMS coating on the membrane further improved the O₂/N₂ selectivity by up to 60%. The results showed that the incorporation of ZCC and PDMS coating onto the P84 co-polyimide membrane was able to increase the overall air separation performance.

Recently, natural gas (mostly methane) is frequently used as fuel, while hydrogen is a promising renewable energy source. However, each gas produced contains impurity gases. As a result, membrane separation is required. The mixed matrix membrane (MMM) is a promising membrane. The huge surface area and well-defined pore structure of zeolite templated carbon (ZTC)-based MMM allow for effective separation. However, the interfacial vacuum in MMM is difficult to avoid, contributing to poor separation performance. This research tries to improve separation performance by altering membrane surfaces. MMM PSF/ZTC was modified by annealing at 120, 150, and 190°C; coating using 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05 mol tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS); and a combination of both, i.e. annealing at 190°C and coating using 0.03 mol TMOS. MMM PSF/ZTC successfully significantly improved CO₂/CH₄selectivity by a combination of annealing at 190°C and coating 0.03 mol TMOS from 1.37 to 5.90 (331%), and H₂/CH₄selectivity by coating with 0.03 mol TMOS from 4.58 to 65.76 (1378%). The enhancement of selectivity was due to structural changes to the membrane that became denser and smoother, which SEM and AFM observed. In this study, annealing and coating treatments are the methods investigated for improving the polymer matrix and filler particle adhesion.