Preparation of carbon molecular sieves by controlled oxidation treatments

Carbon molecular sieves (CMS) can be prepared by mild oxidation treatments of a char and subsequent removal of the surface complexes formed. Introduction of oxygen surface complexes onto a previously prepared CMS with a wider porosity and its subsequent partial decomposition also results in a controlled activation process. Kinetic selectivities measured at room temperature indicate that these CMS can be useful for the separation of O2-N2 and CO2-CH4 gas mixtures. Additionally, there are no problems of stability with these CMS provided the temperature used for outgassing prior to kinetics measurements is below the temperature of the thermal treatment used in the preparation of the CMS.