Nanohybrid thin-film composite carbon molecular sieve membranes

摘要: Abstract Industrial separations belong to some of the most energy-intensive technological processes because reliance on heat-consuming unit operations involving a phase change, such as distillation. Membrane technology promises large cuts those energy needs; however, its progression is hindered currently available membranes lack separation performance well chemical and mechanical stability. To address these challenges, carbon molecular sieves (CMSs) have long been suggested promising candidates providing excellent robust performance. In this work, we introduce nanohybrid CMS fabricated by pyrolyzing polyimide intrinsic microporosity (PIM-PI) precursor modified vapor infiltration (VPI). VPI process, metal-organic precursor, trimethylaluminum (TMA), first diffuses into high free volume matrix PIM-PI form complex with functional groups. Afterward, water selectively locally oxidizes TMA nanodispersed Al2O3 within matrix. Subsequent inert-atmosphere pyrolysis leads formation Al2O3-doped, high-quality, thin-film composite properties for number technologically important gas pairs, e.g. CO2/CH4 > 100, O2/N2 > 9. The introduction VPI-doped hybrid allows obtaining extraordinary typical temperature undoped at much lower temperatures. This presents significant advantages reduction failure risk, wider spectrum possible supports, reduced fabrication complexity.