AbstractHollow fibre membranes with more sponge-like morphology and improved gas permeation performance were spun from 20% polyetherketone (PEK) /sulfuric acid (H2SO4) dope solution with aqueous sulfuric acid solution as coagulant using dry-jet wet spinning process. The membrane morphology, mechanical properties and gas separation performance (hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide) of as-spun PEK hollow fibres have been measured using SEM, Instron and gas test rig. Better cross section structures and mechanical properties in as-spun PEK hollow fibres were observed when aqueous sulfuric acid solution replaced water as coagulant (internal and external). The hydrogen/methane selectivity of up to 40 and hydrogen permeation rate of 3.65 GPU obtained in PEK hollow fibre membranes using 30% sulfuric acid solution as internal and external coagulant simultaneously at the bore fluid injection rate of 30 ml/h are higher than those reported in literatures. Furthermore the effects of bore fluid injection rate and various coagulants on the membrane morphology, mechanical properties and gas separation properties were investigated, as well.
Citric Acid as an Alternative to Sulfuric Acid for the Hard-Anodizing of AA6061
