Processing and properties of polysulfone hollow fibre membranes for gas separation filled with sub-micron carbon fibres

Polysulfone hollow fibre membranes, of the type produced previously with enhanced gas separation properties, were filled with vapour grown carbon fibres (VGCF) of sub-micron diameter. The effect of filler content on mechanical and gas permeation characteristics was studied. Hollow fibre membranes filled with up to 2.8 vol. % of VGCF were produced using forced convection dry jet/wet spinning. Fibre stiffness increased with increasing VGCF filler content. The fibres with the highest concentration of filler were about 30% more stiff than unfilled membranes. The addition of VGCF lead to a rise in permeability and some decrease in selectivity