title: Mixed Matrix Carbon Molecular Sieve and Alumina (CMS-Al2O3) Membranes.
abstract: This work shows mixed matrix inorganic membranes prepared by the vacuum-assisted impregnation method, where phenolic resin precursors filled the pore of α-alumina substrates. Upon carbonisation, the phenolic resin decomposed into several fragments derived from the backbone of the resin matrix. The final stages of decomposition (>650 °C) led to a formation of carbon molecular sieve (CMS) structures, reaching the lowest average pore sizes of ~5 Å at carbonisation temperatures of 700 °C. The combination of vacuum-assisted impregnation and carbonisation led to the formation of mixed matrix of CMS and α-alumina particles (CMS-Al2O3) in a single membrane. These membranes were tested for pervaporative desalination and gave very high water fluxes of up to 25 kg m(-2) h(-1) for seawater (NaCl 3.5 wt%) at 75 °C. Salt rejection was also very high varying between 93-99% depending on temperature and feed salt concentration. Interestingly, the water fluxes remained almost constant and were not affected as feed salt concentration increased from 0.3, 1 and 3.5 wt%.
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, FIM2Lab - Functional Interfacial Materials and Membranes Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Qld 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Yingjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, FIM2Lab - Functional Interfacial Materials and Membranes Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Qld 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Qld 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Birkett
authors.affiliation: Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia.
authors.forename: Wayde
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.affiliation: Institute for Sustainability and Innovation, Victoria University, Werribee, Vic 3030, Australia.
authors.forename: Mikel C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Duke
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, FIM2Lab - Functional Interfacial Materials and Membranes Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Qld 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smart
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, FIM2Lab - Functional Interfacial Materials and Membranes Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Qld 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: João C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Diniz da Costa