Synthesis, ethanol dehydration and thermal stability of NaA zeolite/alumina composite membranes with narrow non-zeolitic pores and thin intermediate layer

▶ NaA zeolite membranes with narrow non-zeolitic pores were prepared and the ethanol dehydration behavior was investigated. ▶ Ethanol was blocked in the α-cage with window of 4.2 Å. ▶ The water flux through zeolitic pores was ignorable. ▶ The low water flux was explained by the formation of hydrogen bond between adsorbed water and blocked ethanol. ▶ The hydrogen bond retards water permeation through the narrow window. ▶ .