Preparation of integrated oxygen permeable membranes with a porous layer by partial reduction process

Abstract

An oxygen permeable membrane based on mixed oxide-ion and electronic conduction is a promising material for hydrogen production from methane at high temperatures. To increase an oxygen permeation flux, decreasing in thickness is required. In this study, integrated oxygen permeable membranes supported on a porous layer was prepared by partial reduction of dense composite materials. The dense samples of (ZrO2-3 mol%Y2O3)-x vol%NiFe2O4 (x = 33, 40, 50) were prepared by sintering at 1400°C under air for 5 h. The one side of the sample was reduced at a temperature range of 800 to 1000°C under Ar-5%H2. The microstructure and oxygen flux density were analyzed by using a scanning electron microscopy and a quadrupole mass spectroscopy, respectively. An integrated oxygen permeable membrane of (ZrO2-3 mol%Y2O3)-50 vol%NiFe 2O4 having a dense layer of 200μm and a porous layer of 300μm was successfully prepared. The oxygen flux density of the membrane was found to be 4.3-7.4 × 10-7 mol·cm -2·s-1. © 2009 The Japan Institute of Metals.