Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes from Polyetherimide: Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature on O2/N2 Selectivity

Abstract

Carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes with excellent separation performance and stability appear to be promising candidate for gas separation. In this work, CMS membranes were formed by a thin carbon layer obtained by pyrolysis of a coated polyetherimide solution onto porous disk support. The pyrolysis temperatures were varied under inert condition. Results showed that the pyrolysis temperature played an important role in determining the gas permeability of CMS membranes. The CMS membrane prepared at pyrolysis temperature of 700°C shows high surface area and narrow PSD with well developed microporous carbon structures. The development of large pore occurs at higher pyrolysis temperature. The O₂/N₂ permselectivities of 2.86, 2.61 and 2.22, respectively were attained by CMS membranes prepared at pyrolyzed temperature of 700, 800 and 900°C.