Polymeric and Functional Membranes for Advanced Gas and Hydrogen Separation

Polymeric and functional membranes are playing a pivotal role in advancing gas and vapor separation technologies, which are essential for addressing pressing global energy and environmental challenges. As interest intensifies in developing efficient and sustainable separation processes, significant attention is focused on the rational design and engineering of novel membranes with enhanced selectivity, permeability, and stability. Despite notable achievements, critical questions remain regarding the optimization of membrane structures, the interplay between material properties and performance, and the translation of breakthroughs from laboratory research to large-scale industrial deployment.

This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and perspectives that advance the science and application of polymeric and functional membranes for gas and hydrogen separations. Priority will be given to contributions that deepen understanding of the fundamental relationships between membrane composition, morphology, and operational efficiency, as well as those that highlight emerging materials, processing techniques, and system-level innovations. Both experimental and theoretical or computational studies are encouraged.

Key areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

- Advanced membrane materials and architectures for CO₂ capture and removal from natural gas
- Polymeric and composite membranes for hydrogen (H₂) separation and purification
- Innovations targeting hydrocarbon, O₂/N₂, olefin/paraffin, and organic vapor separations
- Strategies for solvent dehydration and fouling resistance in membrane systems
- Structure–property–performance relationships in gas and vapor separation membranes
- Computational modeling and simulation to inform membrane design
- Real-world and industrial applications, process integration, and technology scale-up

Submissions that explicitly address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9), and Climate Action (SDG 13)—are strongly encouraged.

By gathering cutting-edge research from diverse disciplines, this collection seeks to accelerate progress and foster cross-sector collaboration in membrane science, ultimately supporting the advancement of cleaner energy systems, more sustainable industrial practices, and a reduced environmental footprint worldwide.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: polymeric membranes, gas separation, hydrogen purification, membrane technology, sustainable energy

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.