PI/NCC Carbon Membrane: Effect of Additives loading Towards Hydrogen Separation

Abstract

Incorporating thermally labile polymer-based additives is a facile and practical approach in developing superior carbon membranes. In this study, three different thermally labile polymers, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), were introduced separately to P84-copolyimide (PI) solution as additive and their impact on membrane performance were investigated. Firstly, NCC was added as the membrane pore former for hydrogen gas (H2) separation. The addition of NCC significantly increased pore channels in the membrane, hence contributed to high gas permeance and selectivity. The tests involving pure H2 and N2 permeation were carried out at room temperature. Carbon membranes carbonized at a final temperature of 800°C with the heating rate of 3°C/min under Ar flow achieved the greatest H2/N2 selectivity of 434.68±1.39, hence proving the potential of NCC as a good additive.

Development of a P84/ZCC Composite Carbon Membrane for Gas Separation of H2/CO2 and H2/CH4

“…The polymeric precursor selection plays an important role in the final pore structure of the carbon membrane . Glassy polymers such as polyimide (PI) and their derivates have been widely used in preparing carbon membranes due to their well-rounded features. − Moreover, membrane module selection, such as a hollow fiber carbon membrane, showed good hydrogen separation performance for H 2 /CO 2 and H 2 /CH 4 . − In this study, carbon membranes were produced from P84 co-polyimide as the main precursor due to its excellent separation performance …”