Synthesis and characterization of heteropolyacid nanoporous carbon membranes

Heteropolyacid nanoporous carbon membranes were synthesized by re-precipita tion of 12-tungstophosphoric acid on a prefabricated nanoporous carbon film . The Keggin structure is maintained on and within the 8 mum film as inferr ed from FTIR spectroscopy and XRD. Gas permeation reveals that separation p erformance of the carbon membrane is maintained after deposition although t otal membrane flux decreases by nearly 40% for N-2 permeation. Semi-batch m embrane 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 con ditions.