Preparation of supported carbon membranes from furfuryl alcohol

Carbon membranes were successfully synthesized on the inner surface of porous alumina tubes from furfuryl alcohol (FA). Three preparation procedures were employed, which were (Ⅰ) adding the acid catalyst in FA, then dipping the support in the solution; (Ⅱ) applying the catalyst on the support, then dipping the support in FA solution; (Ⅲ) applying the catalyst on the support, then exposing the support to FA vapor. Carbon membrane prepared by method Ⅱ experienced much more weight gain than by method Ⅰ and Ⅲ, while membrane by method Ⅲ obtained a little bit more weight than by method Ⅰ. Carbon membrane by method III had the best permselectivity, with CO_(2)/N_(2)of 79.3 and O_(2)/N_(2)of 10.6. The membrane by methods I and II had close gas permeation property, with CO_(2)/N_(2)of 20 and O_(2)/N_(2)of 6.