Membrane reactors are generally applied in high temperature reactions (>400 °C). In the
field of fine chemical synthesis, however, much milder conditions are generally applicable and
polymeric membranes were applied without their damage.
The successful use of membranes in membrane reactors is primary the result of two developments
concerning: (i) membrane materials and (ii) membrane structures. The selection of a suited material and
preparation technique depends on the application the membrane is to be used in. In this chapter a review
of up to date literature about polymers and configuration catalyst/ membranes used in some recent
polymeric membrane reactors is given.
The new emerging concept of polymeric microcapsules as catalytic microreactors has been proposed.
Keywords: Polymeric membranes, membrane reactors, catalytic membranes, inert membranes, polymeric
microcapsules.
