A simple embedded-seeding method to prepare silicalite-1 membrane on porous α-Al2O3 hollow fibers

High quality silicalite-1 membrane was successfully synthesized on the external surface of ceramic hollow fibers by a novel embedded-seeding method. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM and gas permeation test. It is shown that the obtained silicalite-1 membrane was dense and continuous, with a thickness of about 4-5 μm. Specifically, silicalite-1 membrane exhibited high H2 and N2 permeances of 8.3 × 10−6 and 2.4 × 10−6 mol·m−2·s−1·Pa−1 with good H2-N2 perm-selectivity of 3.45. More finger-like pores in the hollow fibers minimized the gas transport resistance through the support, which is one of the reasons that the prepared supported silicalite-1 membrane is highly permeable.