Effects of Pyrolysis Temperature on the Properties of Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin Based Carbon Molecular Sieve Membrane

Abstract

Carbon molecular sieve membranes were prepared by pyrolysis of novolac type phenol-formaldehyde resin. The influences of pyrolysis temperature on membrane properties were investigated. By raising the pyrolysis temperature from 600 oC to 700 oC, the number of pores and effective pore size increased, thereby making the carbon membrane more productive but less selective. When the pyrolysis temperature from 700 oC to 900 oC, the effective pore size was reduced by sinter effect, thereby the gas permeation rate decreased and selectivity increased. The carbon membranes were characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and CO2 adsorption. H2, N2, CH4, and O2 were used for pure gas tests to evaluate membrane performance.