Preparation of carbon molecular sieve from lignocellulosic biomass: A review

A literature review on preparation of carbon molecular sieve (CMS) from lignocellulosic biomass is presented. The effect of various operation parameters such as pyrolytic temperature, flow rate of the carbonizing agent and time of pyrolysis on the carbonization of the lignocellulosic biomass as a carbon precursor was reviewed. Various physical and chemical processes for the activation of the biomass-based char and their effects on textural properties of the activated char were discussed. Conversion of activated chars to CMS as the final stage of the preparation process through different techniques of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and controlled pyrolysis was assessed. Survey of literature revealed that production of CMS with BET surface area of 1247 m(2)/g and micropore volume of 0.51 cm(3)/g, under appropriate conditions has been reported. Also, maximum selectivity of 7.6 and 400 for separation of O-2/N-2 and CO2/CH4 was devoted to palm shell and coconut shell-based CMS, respectively. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.