Synthesis and characterization of heteropolyacid nanoporous carbon membranes

PT: J; TC: 7; UT: WOS:000170704900012

Heteropolyacid nanoporous carbon membranes were synthesized by re-precipitation of 12-tungstophosphoric acid on a prefabricated nanoporous carbon film. The Keggin structure is maintained on and within the 8 mum film as inferred from FTIR spectroscopy and XRD. Gas permeation reveals that separation performance of the carbon membrane is maintained after deposition although total membrane flux decreases by nearly 40% for N-2 permeation. Semi-batch membrane reactor performance in the decomposition of methyl tert-butyl ether at 55 degreesC shows significant enhancement of the conversion with 96.5% compared with 64.1 % for a non-selective membrane analog under the same conditions.