Synthesis and characterization of Ce-ZSM-5 zeolite membranes

The effects of synthesis parameters on the property of Ce-ZSM-5 zeolite membrane grown onto porous α-alumina supports were investigated. The zeolite membranes synthesized were characterized by XRD, DTA/TG, FT-IR, SEM, EDS and single gas permeation. Orthogonal test indicate, aging at lower temperature and longer stirring time were preferred for Ce-ZSM-5 zeolite membrane. Lower alkalinity and higher Ce2O3/SiO2 favor the formation of pure Ce-ZSM-5 structure. Higher alkalinity and lower SiO2/Ce2O3, impurities such as quartz and cerium oxide, which hinder the Ce-ZSM-5 formation were easily produced. Under optimum synthesis conditions, the permeances for H2, N2, CH4, CO2 were 4.73 × 10−6, 1.56 × 10−6, 1.51 × 10−6 and 1.36 × 10−6 mol/m2 s Pa, respectively; the ideal selectivity of membrane at room temperature for H2/CO2, H2/N2, H2/CH4 were 3.13, 3.03, 3.48, respectively.