Exploring the Potential of Cellulose Acetate Membranes for Precise Gas Permeation in Microfluidic Devices

Microfluidic devices have traditionally focused on liquid fluids because of their superior flow control, but gas integration has been limited due to complexities in compression and diffusion. However, the emergence of thin, permeable membranes (PMs) has transformed this landscape, allowing precise gas control. This perspective explores the integration of gases in microfluidics, focusing on various applications and benefits. The study investigates the development of cellulose acetate flat sheet membranes produced by the phase inversion technique. The optimum concentration of the polymer in dope solution was determined to produce a dense morphology, which was confirmed by SEM analysis. Gas permeation studies reveal CO
2
‘s superior permeability due to its polarity and molecular size, influencing ideal selectivity across gas pairs.