Effect of Oxidation on Gas Permeation of Carbon Molecular Sieving Membranes Based on BPDA-pp‘ODA Polyimide

Abstract

A BPDA-pp‘ODA polyimide film was formed on the outer surface of a porous alumina support tube and was then carbonized in an inert atmosphere at 600−900 °C. The resulting carbon molecular sieving (CMS) membranes were oxidized in O2−N2 mixtures at 300 °C or in CO2 at 800−900 °C, and the permeation properties were determined. The O2 oxidation increased both permeances and permselectivities. The CMS membranes were exposed to air at 100 °C for 1 month, and their resistance to oxidation was determined. The results show that permeance was decreased in the initial stage of exposure, while permselectivity was increased. Both properties were largely restored by heat-treatment in nitrogen at 600 °C for 1−4 h. This suggests that CMS membranes would be stable at 100 °C for months, when used in an atmosphere which contained only a small fraction of oxidants.