Electrophoretic technique for hydrothermal synthesis of NaA zeolite membranes on porous α-Al2O3 supports

Uniform and dense NaA zeolite membranes were prepared on the α-Al2O3 support by electrophoretic technique. The membrane morphology and membrane thickness were investigated by XRD, SEM and pervaporation properties for dehydration of 95 wt.% isopropanol/water mixture at 343 K, respectively. Under the action of the applied electric field, the negatively charged zeolite particles could migrate to the support surface homogenously and rapidly, forming uniform and dense membranes in a short time. High quality NaA zeolite membrane, with a separation factor (water/isopropanol) of 3281 and a flux of 1.24 kg/m2 h, could be prepared by electrophoretic technique with the electrical potential of 1 V. The formation mechanism of zeolite membrane in the electric field is discussed.