The performance of CO2/N2 separation on P84/NCC-based tubular carbon membrane under different carbonization conditions

In this study, the influence of carbonization environment on the performance of Tubular Carbon Membrane (TCMs) was explored. P84 co-polyimide/Nanocrystalline cellulose-based TCMs were synthesized by dip-coating technique. The permeation properties of TCMs were determined by employing pure gases of CO2 and N-2. Heat treatment processes were carried out under the different environments (Argon, Nitrogen, and Helium) with the flow rate of 200 ml/min to boost the membrane's performance. The carbonization process was performed at a consistent carbonization temperature of 800 degrees C under a heating rate of 3 degrees C/min. Carbonization under Argon environment was found to be the best condition for PI/NCC-based TCMs preparation with the permeance of 3.22 +/- 3.21 and 213.56 +/- 2.17 GPU for N-2, and CO2 gases, respectively. This membrane exhibited the uppermost CO2/N-2 selectivity of 66.32 +/- 2.18. TCMs prepared under Ar environment experienced less weight loss while showing highest CO2/N-2 selectivity as compared to those prepared under He and N-2 environments.