Preparation of carbon molecular sieves by propylene pyrolysis over nickel-impregnated activated carbons

Exploratory runs have shown it to be possible to produce a sieve for the separation of O-2 from Ar by depositing carbon from propylene in or over an activated carbon (AC) previously impregnated with Ni. It is thought that preferential cracking of propylene at the Ni sites within the pores of the AC particles and/or at the particle exterior surface introduces apertures of size 0.54-0.57 nm-the size required for this separation.