Preparation and characterization of high performance zeolite t membranes from clear solutions

Abstract

T-type zeolite membrances with high permeation performance were successfully synthesized on the low cost macroporous α-Al2O3 tubular support by secondary growth from clear solutions. The effects of the concentration of seeds and the membrane crystallization time on the morphology and pervaporation properties of zeolite T membrances. When the molar ration of the synthesis solution was 1SiO2: 0.05Al2O3: 0.26Na2O: 0.09K2O: 30H2O, a high quality T zeolite membrane was obtained at crystallization temperature of 120℃ for 16 h, with water flux of 2.96 kg/(m2·h) and separation factor of 6400 for dehydration of IPA aqueous solution by pervaporation at 75℃. XRD pattern and SEM observation suggested that the shortened membrane crystallization time resulted from the secondary nucleation induced by the seeds and the seeds epitaxial growth.