Synthesis and characterization of catalytic nanoporous carbon membranes

A method is reported for the synthesis of nobel catalyic nanoporous carbon membranes. Defect-free, nanoporous carbon films of 12.5−μm average thickness containing a dispersion of Ptx were synthesized on macroporous stainless-steel supports. Ideal gas selectivities for the catalytic membranes were simliar to those of inert nanoporous carbon membranes with He–N2=58.6 and O2N2=4.9. The selective hydrogenation of monoolefins (propylen, l-buiene, isobutylene) was used to probe the shape-selective catalytic proerties nad the transport selectivities of the membranes. The results were modeled using the linear regime of coupled sdsorption, transport and rection in the membrane. Model regression yielded 14.9, 19.7. and 18.4 kJ/mol for the activation energies of permeation for propylene, isobutylene, and l-butene, respectively. The system demonstrated selective reaction and transport favoring propane production with selectiveity ratios of 28.9:3.2.I for propane:n-butane:isobutane at 125°C.