Light-Carbon Double Transfer Membrane for Carbon Fixation in Microalgae

[Geoengineering News]

https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adfm.202527802

Authors: Ying Zhu, Hui Jia, Jibao Liu, Fei Gao, Yue Wang, Xu Zhu, Jiangfang Yu, Jie Wang

First published: 08 January 2026

https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202527802

Abstract

The carbon fixation technology based on microalgae has garnered significant attention due to its efficient photosynthesis and resource utilization. However, as algal density increases, light attenuation and insufficient CO2 supply become major bottlenecks. This study proposes a light-carbon double transfer membrane (LCTM) that simultaneously facilitates light and CO2 transmission. By employing refractive index matching, the membrane improves transmittance by reducing light scattering and enhances CO2 enrichment and permeation efficiency through the incorporation of CO2-affinity materials. The LCTM, fabricated using non-solvent-induced phase separation combined with coating techniques, achieves a transmittance of 89% and a CO2 permeation rate of 1867 GPU, while exhibiting excellent flexibility. When applied in photobioreactors, it enables efficient simultaneous transfer of light and CO2, increasing microalgal biomass by 80.8% to 3.20 g/L. Under 12% CO2 aeration conditions, CO2 fixation rates surpassed those achieved with air aeration by 50%, reaching 0.68 g/L/d. A 120-day continuous test demonstrated the stability and reproducibility of LCTM. This study not only offers an innovative solution to the challenges of light attenuation and CO2 supply limitations in microalgal carbon fixation but also establishes a foundation for sustainable carbon sequestration technology.

Source: Wiley Advanced