Microporous silica and zeolite membranes for hydrogen purification

Henk Verweij, Jerry Lin, Junhang Dong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

100 Scopus citations

Abstract

Microporous amorphous silica and zeolite membranes are made as thin films on a multilayer porous support. The membranes have a network of connected micropores with ∼0.5-nm diameters. Net transport of small molecules on this network occurs under the driving force of a gradient in chemical potential. Favorable combinations of sorption selectivity and diffusion mobility in the membrane materials lead to high H2 fluxes and good selectivity with respect to other gases. The membranes show potential for application in H 2 separation under harsh conditions. Amorphous silica membranes show very high H2 fluxes because they can be made very thin; silicalite-type zeolite membranes are expected to have a better operational stability. To make the membranes a viable option, improvements are needed in reducing membrane defects and manufacturing costs and enhancing reproducibility and operational stability. This article summarizes the state of the art, provides relevant definitions, and outlines the base design and long-term specifications of viable supported membrane structures. This is followed by an overview of transport properties, synthesis, and operational stability of the membrane and the supporting structures. Directions for future research programs are provided by demonstrating how the selection of the actual membrane composition and supporting structure can be derived from an application-based design. The success of such a design depends critically on fundamental studies of membrane transport, strength, and operational stability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)756-764
Number of pages9
JournalMRS Bulletin
Volume31
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2006

Keywords

  • Ceramic
  • Hydrogen
  • Membrane
  • Silica
  • Sol-gel
  • Transport
  • Zeolite

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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