Synthesis of carbon molecular sieve from palm shell using deposition of polyfurfuryl alcohol

Abstract

In this work, an intention to synthesize the carbon molecular sieve (CMS) with ideal sieving properties from palm shell has been attempted. The process includes three main stages: carbonization, carbon dioxide activation and polymer deposition using polyfurfuryl alcohols. Palm shell based activated carbon (AC) produced by carbon dioxide activation was used as raw material in synthesis of CMS. After preparing palm shell based AC, optimum concentration ratio of furfuryl alcohols and formaldehyde to AC for CMS synthesis was obtained in this study. Deposition of polyfurfuryl alcohols on the palm shell based AC was then carried out prior to carbonization. These polymer deposited AC was subjected to carbonization at 700-900°C under inert condition. All the microporous materials were analyzed using micromeritics ASAP/2020. The results show that optimum concentration ratio of furfuryl alcohol and formaldehyde to AC is 1:2.5. The micropore with pore width less than 7 Å was formed on the polymer deposited AC at 700°C, 800°C and 900°C for 1.5 hours. Carbonization temperature at 900°C for 1.5 hours was found to be optimum for CMS synthesis. The CMS produced under this condition has pore width of 5.884 Å.