Preparation Chemistry of Inorganic Membranes

Inorganic membranes include a large group of microporous membranes for molecular separation of gas and liquid mixtures. This chapter provides a concise review of recent advances related to the chemistry in the synthesis of microporous inorganic membranes. The review includes description and analysis of the synthesis and properties of silica membranes with enhanced stability and controllable pore size, carbon molecular sieve membranes with increased gas permeance, zeolite membranes with minimized intercrystalline gaps, and the new microporous metal organic framework membranes. Separation properties of the microporous inorganic membranes are determined by the pore size, porosity, and surface chemistry characteristics of the membrane materials and the quality of the membranes prepared. Membrane thickness and nonselective defects have a pronounced influence on the overall membrane performance. Stability of the membranes and cost and scalability of the membrane fabrication process are of immense importance for industrial applications of these microporous inorganic membranes.