Work

Green solvents for Novolac-based carbon membranes production

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Over the last three decades, carbon membranes (CMs) have gained attention as technology for gas separation. However, their fabrication often involves toxic and hazardous solvents with significant environmental impact, like N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). In this work, Novolac-based CMs were developed using two greener and safer organic solvents, Cyrene™ and γ-valerolactone (GVL). Single gas permeation tests with He, H 2 , N 2 and CH 4 were conducted at temperatures from 20 °C to 200 °C and pressure differences (ΔP) between 1 and 5 bar. GVL led to the best performing CM, achieving an ideal selectivity of 340 the H 2 /CH 4 system at 20 °C. The GVL-derived CM exhibited a pore size distribution similar to that of the NMP-derived one, with 85.6 % ultra-micropores, 13.7 % micropores and 0.7 % mesopores. Raman spectroscopy, organic elemental analysis (OEA) and perm-porometry confirmed structural and chemical differences among the CMs fabricated with different solvent. This study highlights the potential of GVL as a safer and greener solvent for fabricating H 2 -selective Novolac-based CMs, representing a step forward towards a more sustainable CMs production.

Source: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.152940

Authors: C. Coiana, B.A. De Liso, G. De Felice, E. Salzano, F. Gallucci

Institutions: Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Bologna

Language: English

Topic: Membrane Separation and Gas Transport

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,730