Preparation and gas permeation of supported γ-Al₂O₃ membranes used as substrate layer for microporous membranes

Abstract

γ-Al₂O₃ membranes were successfully deposited on the top of porous α-Al₂O₃ support by sol-gel process and characterized by means of XRD, SEM, N₂ adsorption and gas permeation. The γ-Al₂O₃ membranes, free of pin-holes and cracks, adhere tightly to the supports and have a thickness of about 7 μm. When sintered at 400°C, γ-Al₂O₃ membranes have a narrow pore size distribution, with a pore diameter of 3.6nm, and the transport of both H₂ and CO₂ in supported γ-Al₂O₃ membrane is governed by Knudsen mechanism, with H₂ permeance of 3.3×10⁻⁶ molm⁻² Pa⁻¹ s⁻¹ and H₂/CO₂ permselectivity close to the ideal Knudsen value at 50°C. The γ-Al₂O₃ membranes are suitable for being used as the substrates of microporous membranes.

Keywords

supported γ-Al₂O₃ membranes / hydrogen separation / gas transport

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