Gas Separation Performance of Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes Based on 6FDA-mPDA/DABA (3:2) Polyimide

• Published in: ChemSusChem 2014-04, Vol.7 (4), p.1186-1194
• Main Authors: Qiu, Wulin, Zhang, Kuang, Li, Fuyue Stephanie, Zhang, Ke, Koros, William J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aminobenzoates - chemistry; Carbon - chemistry; Carbon Dioxide - chemistry; Carbon Dioxide - isolation & purification; carbon molecular sieves; crosslinking; membranes; Membranes, Artificial; natural gas separation; Permeability; Phenylenediamines - chemistry; Phthalic Anhydrides - chemistry; polymers; Polymers - chemistry; Temperature
• ISSN: 1864-5631; 1864-564X
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201300851

6FDA‐mPDA/DABA (3:2) polyimide was synthesized and characterized for uncross‐linked, thermally crosslinked, and carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes. The membranes were characterized with thermogravimetric analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and gas permeation tests. Variations in the d spacing, the formation of pore structures, and changes in the pore sizes of the CMS membranes were discussed in relation to pyrolysis protocols. The uncross‐linked polymer membranes showed high CO2/CH4 selectivity, whereas thermally crosslinked membranes exhibited significantly improved CO2 permeability and excellent CO2 plasticization resistance. The CMS membranes showed even higher CO2 permeability and CO2/CH4 selectivity. An increase in the pyrolysis temperature resulted in CMS membranes with lower gas permeability but higher selectivity. The 550 °C pyrolyzed CMS membranes showed CO2 permeability as high as 14 750 Barrer with CO2/CH4 selectivity of approximately 52. Even 800 °C pyrolyzed CMS membranes still showed high CO2 permeability of 2610 Barrer with high CO2/CH4 selectivity of approximately 118. Both polymer membranes and the CMS membranes are very attractive in aggressive natural gas purification applications. Permeating through: Polyimide‐based uncross‐linked, thermally crosslinked, and carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes are prepared. Variations in the d spacing, the formation of pore structures, and changes in the pore sizes of the CMS membranes are discussed in relation to pyrolysis protocols. Both the polymer and CMS membranes are very attractive in aggressive natural gas purification applications.