Copper deposition on Pd membranes by electroless plating

PdCu membranes were prepared by the electroless plating of Pd membranes prepared on ceramic tubular supports. Different PdCu membranes were prepared with Pd content between 45 and 77 wt% and a total metal layer between 0.5 and 1.9 μm thickness. The alloying step was performed in two ways to compare and establish the required alloying time for obtaining high permeance membranes. The alloying was analysed with EDX composition measurements, and full alloying was not required to obtain a stable hydrogen flux. Finally, permeance tests were performed at different pressures, including temperature cycles in hydrogen and nitrogen, to observe membrane stability. The hydrogen permeance values of the membranes were high, between 1.5 × 10−3 and 4.5 × 10−3 mol/(s Pa0.5 m2) at 673 K. The membranes recorded stable permeance values even after thermal cycles in a hydrogen atmosphere. Metal layer thickness was calculated using both the weight difference method and SEM images. SEM images were also used to analyse the surface morphology of the membranes, which was generally fairly uniform and smooth.

► PdCu alloy membranes for hydrogen purification.
► PdCu membranes with metal thickness between 0.5 and 1.9 μm.
► The required alloying time has been established.
► No complete alloying is necessary to obtain a high hydrogen flux.
► Membranes were stable even after thermal cycles in hydrogen.