Effect of aluminium acetyl acetonate on the hydrogen and nitrogen permeation of carbon molecular sieves membranes

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2022-04, Vol.47 (32), p.14570-14579
• Main Authors: Rahimalimamaghani, A., Pacheco Tanaka, D.A., Llosa Tanco, M.A., Neira D'Angelo, F., Gallucci, F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon membranes; Hydrogen separation; Novolac resin; Supported carbon membranes
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.02.198

With a growing interest in hydrogen as energy carrier, the efficient purification of hydrogen from gaseous mixtures is very important. This paper addresses the separation of hydrogen using Carbon Molecular Sieves Membranes (CMSM), which show an attractive combination of high permeability, selectivity and stability. Supported CMSM containing various amounts of aluminium have been prepared from novolac and aluminium acetyl acetonate (Al(acac)3) as carbon and alumina precursors. The thickness of the CMSM layers depend on the content of Al(acac)3 in the dipping solution, which also has influence in the pore size and pore size distribution of the membranes. The permeation properties of the membranes against the Al content in the membrane follows a volcano shape, where the membrane containing 4 wt (%) of Al(acac)3 has the best properties and was stable during 720 h for hydrogen at 150 °C and 6 bar pressure difference. All the CMSM have permeation properties well above the Robeson Upper limit. •Defect free CMSMs were developed from Novolac and various contents of Al(acac)3.•Membrane thickness depends on the content of Al(acac)3 in the dipping solution.•Elemental analysis shows that the O and H content in the CMSM increases with the Al content.•Membranes were stable for H2 permeation for 720 h at 150 °C and 6 bar ΔP.