(449ax) Gas Separation Using Novel Carbon/Carbon Composite Membranes

Carbon membranes are porous inorganic membranes materials with promising applications in a large variety of industrial applications such as the separation of CO₂ and water vapor from gas mixtures. Research into carbon membranes has shown that they do have advantages over polymer membranes in terms of their superior separation performance, thermal resistance, and chemical inertness. In this study, carbon/carbon composite membranes (CCCM) were made for gas separation. The CCCMs were prepared by infusing a polyimide resin in Bucky Paper and carbon nanofiber mats to increase the mechanical strength of the membrane. Pyrolysis in a nitrogen environment of the polymer-infused carbon-based supports (at different temperatures for various times) produced nano-porous membranes. The structures of the CCCMs were tested for their gas separation properties.