MOLECULAR-SIEVE CHARACTER OF CARBONS DERIVED FROM CELLULOSIC PRECURSORS

Cellulosic precursors were examined as suitable materials for the prod uction of carbon molecular sieves to separate straight from branched-c hain hydrocarbons. The amorphous and crystalline contents of the precu rsors, as determined by water adsorption, proved to be important in de termining sieve character. For example, cellulose having amorphous and crystalline contents of similar to 50% yielded a 530 degrees C carbon having negligible capacity for iso-butane and a substantial capacity for n-butane and CO2.