An exceptional kinetic quantum sieving separation effect of hydrogen isotopes on commercially available carbon molecular sieves

Abstract

The quantum sieving effect of H₂/D₂ at 77 K on commercially available carbon molecular sieves (1.5GN-H and 3KT-172) was studied. An exceptional reverse kinetic quantum effect is observed on 1.5GN-H where D₂ diffuses much faster than H₂ with a ratio of up to 5.83 at low pressure, and the difference is still very evident even as the pressure increases up to 1 bar. D₂ also diffuses faster than H₂ on 3KT-172 with a ratio of up to 1.86. However, the reverse kinetic sieving disappears in a polymer-based carbon (PC). The present kinetic quantum sieving effect of H₂ and D₂ at 77 K on 1.5GN-H is the highest to date.