A novel approach to fabricate zeolite membranes for pervaporation processes

Abstract

The conventional methods used in preparing zeolite membranes, such as the secondary growth and in situ crystallization methods, involve long and complex procedures that require the preparation of the zeolite aluminosilicate gel prior to the fabrication process and often result in membranes which contain pin holes. Here we report a simple, cheap, and less time-consuming technique to fabricate zeolite A and mordenite membranes on a porous stainless steel support. In addition, the technique makes it possible to fabricate types of zeolite membranes that have been previously difficult to synthesise. A clinoptilolite membrane was fabricated to demonstrate the ability to manufacture a zeolite membrane from an existing crystalline zeolite (natural or synthetic). All three membranes were subjected to separation tests, (ethanol dehydration, ethanol–cyclohexane and phenol removal from water) to demonstrate the efficacy of membrane synthesis. The fluxes obtained and separation factors which were achieved are comparable with literature values but as with most zeolite membranes there is a trade-off between high flux and separation.