Zeolite templated carbon: preparation, characterization and performance as filler material in co-polyimide membranes for CO2/CH4 separation

Abstract

Zeolite templated carbon (ZTC), a structurally unique carbon material was used as new fillers for the preparation of composite polymeric membrane derived from BTDA-TDI/MDI (P84) co-polyimide. The thermal stability of membrane, the structure evolution, morphology and topology, as well as gas separation performance of modified membranes were investigated. Zeolite-Y, a hard template for ZTC, was synthesized via hydrothermal method. The ZTC was synthesized via impregnation of sucrose as carbon precursor into zeolite pore and followed by carbonization at 800°C. The zeolite template was removed through acid treatment to obtain ZTC, which was used as fillers for membrane preparation. The membrane was prepared using P84 co-polyimide as membrane precursor via phase inversion process. Synthesized materials were characterized using SEM, XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm and TEM. The thermal stability of membrane was improved by the addition of ZTC. As the result of ZTC loading into P84 co-polyimide membrane, the gas permeability of CO2 increased thirty-four times, as well as the CO2/CH4 selectivity boosted from 0.76 to 5.23. The ordered pore structure in ZTC plays important role in increasing the permeability and selectivity performances of the P84 co-polyimide membrane.