Development and Application of Novel Hollow-fiber Carbon Membranes Derived from Poly(phenylene oxide)

Abstract

Novel hollow-fiber carbon membranes were successfully fabricated using poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) and derivatives as a precursor polymer. These free-standing carbon membranes had permeation properties above the upper bound of conventional polymeric membranes including PPO precursor polymers. Metal-containing carbon membranes derived from sulfonated PPO (SPPO) were also prepared by the ion exchange method and the effect of metal cations on the gas transport properties was studied. Transition metal ions such as Ag significantly enhanced gas permeabilities without affecting the ideal selectivities. The development of flexible hollowfiber carbon membranes was successfully achieved using SPPO as a precursor polymer. Superior flexibility combined with excellent gas separation performance were obtained by pyrolysis at 600 ºC. The present findings indicate the potential for commercial application of carbon membranes. Some applications of carbon membranes were also investigated such as selective dehydration of olefin gases, alcohol dehydration by pervaporation and CO2/CH4 mixed gas separation.

Facile preparation of ODPA‐ODA type polyetherimide‐based carbon membranes by chemical crosslinking

“…Membrane‐based gas separation technology develops rapidly in recent decades due to the advantages of high efficiency, energy saving, and environmental protection over traditional pressure swing adsorption and cryogenic distillation . As one promising member in the membrane family, carbon membranes have attracted extensive attention for their excellent gas separation performance and stability in harsh conditions .…”