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- English
- Conflict of Interest
- In relation to this article, we declare that there is no conflict of interest.
- Publication history
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Received June 2, 2025
Revised August 12, 2025
Accepted August 25, 2025
Available online January 25, 2026
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This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/3.0) which permits
unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Latest issues
Breaking the Trade‑off: Cross‑Linked Polymeric Membranes for Superior Olefin/Paraffin Separation
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-025-00549-3
Abstract
The separation of olefins from paraffins, particularly propylene/propane mixtures, is a crucial process in the petrochemical
industry. While membrane-based separation offers an energy-efficient alternative to conventional cryogenic distillation,
polymeric membranes face challenges such as limited selectivity and plasticization at high feed pressures. This review
explores recent advancements in chemical cross-linking strategies aimed at enhancing polymeric membrane performance
for olefin/paraffin separation. Various cross-linking approaches—including the incorporation of thermally labile halogens,
cyclodextrins, and thermally activated moieties—are analyzed with a focus on their effectiveness in improving plasticization
resistance while maintaining gas permeability. The influence of different cross-linking agents, reaction conditions, and
polymer structures on membrane performance is systematically reviewed. Particular attention is given to novel cross-linking
agents that help mitigate the typical trade-off between plasticization resistance and gas transport properties. Additionally,
the relationship between cross-linking density, membrane morphology, and separation efficiency is discussed, along with
challenges in scaling up these technologies for industrial applications. This comprehensive analysis provides insights into
the current state of cross-linked polymeric membrane development and highlights promising research directions toward
achieving more efficient and scalable olefin/paraffin separation.

