Dynamics of effusive and diffusive gas separation on pillared graphene

Abstract

Pillared graphene structures, from a practical viewpoint, are very interesting novel carbon materials. Combining the properties of graphene and nanotubes, such as durability, chemical purity and a controlled structure, they were proven to be effective membranes for noble gas separation processes. Here, we examine their possible use for other, more commercially useful gas mixture separation, i.e. air and coal gas. The mechanism of air gas transport through the pillar channels is studied, and the prospective application of 2-D pillared membranes in effusion-like processes provided. The separative abilities of hybrid systems consisting of membranes with different channel diameters in relation to coal gas are proven to be promising.