Carbon-Al203-Ag composite molecular sieve membranes for gas separation.

Phenolic resins loaded with two different inorganic fillers (boehmite (γ-A10(OH)) and silver (Ag)) were used to prepare composite carbon membranes. Polymer solutions containing γ-A10(OH) and AgNO3 were prepared and the effect of Ag on the transport properties of the composite membrane was evaluated. The polymer solutions were coated on α-Al203 tubes and carbonized in a single dipping-drying-pyrolysis step. After pyrolysis at 550°C, γ-AlO(OH) yielded γ-Al2O3, and Ag agglomerated forming spherical nanoparticles of 30 nm in diameter. Ag loading enhanced the carbon membrane performance for several gas pairs of interest, especially for C3H6/C3H8 separation, where the C3H6/C3H8 permselectivity increased from a maximum of 15 to 38. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]