Separation of propylene/propane binary mixtures by bis(triethoxysilyl) methane (BTESM)-derived silica membranes fabricated at different calcination temperatures

▸ Bis(triethoxysilyl) methane (BTESM) was used as a membrane precursor. ▸ Amorphous silica network size was controlled by “spacer” method. ▸ Average pore size was successfully tuned by changing the calcination temperatures. ▸ C3H6 permeance of 0.28-6.3×10−7 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1 with C3H6/C3H8 selectivity of 6.9-33.