Development of Pd Alloy Hydrogen Separation Membranes with Dense/Porous Hybrid Structure for High Hydrogen Perm-Selectivity

Abstract

For the commercial applications of hydrogen separation membranes, both high hydrogen selectivity and permeability (i.e., perm-selectivity) are required. However, it has been difficult to fabricate thin, dense Pd alloy composite membranes on porous metal support that have a pore-free surface and an open structure at the interface between the Pd alloy films and the metal support in order to obtain the required properties simultaneously. In this study, we fabricated Pd alloy hydrogen separation membranes with dense/porous hybrid structure for high hydrogen perm-selectivity. The hydrogen selectivity of this membrane increased owing to the dense and pore-free microstructure of the membrane surface. The hydrogen permeation flux also was remarkably improved by the formation of an open microstructure with numerous open voids at the interface and by an effective reduction in the membrane thickness as a result of the porous structure formed within the Pd alloy films.

Development of homogeneous Pd–Ag alloy membrane formed on porous stainless steel by multi-layered films and Ag-upfilling heat treatment

“…3 shows a schematic illustration of a 6 μm thick multilayered Pd/Ag films used for preventing intermetallic diffusion from the PSS after heat treatment at 873 K for 100 h. In Pd-based composite membranes, microstructures of diffusion barrier films play an important role in the prevention of intermetallic diffusion. Because diffusion depends on the compactness of the films, the barrier performance improves with an increase in the density of the diffusion barrier films [24,25]. The Pd/Ag coating formed by electroless plating has a significantly rough surface layer comprising of irregular particles, voids, and defects that results in intermetallic diffusion of metal support constituents.…”