Abstract

LTA (Linde Type A) molecular sieve has widely used in adsorption and separation due to its regular pore structure, high thermal stability and chemical stability. Copper-exchanged LTA (Cu-LTA) zeolite membranes with enhanced water flux of ethanol dehydration were developed through copper ion exchange of Na-LTA zeolite membrane. In the first step, a thin and well intergrown Na-LTA zeolite membrane was prepared on macroporous α-Al2O3 tube which was modified by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Afterwards, copper exchange of the as-synthesized Na-LTA zeolite membranes was done to prepare Cu-LTA zeolite membrane. According to characterizations of XRD, FESEM, and XPS, both the morphology and structure of the Cu-LTA zeolite membranes are identical to those of the Na-LTA zeolite membranes, and there are no cracks and pinholes are found in the membrane layer. Attributing to a wider pore diameter because two sodium ions of Na-LTA framework are replaced by one copper ion, the Cu-LTA zeolite membrane displays a higher water flux in the separation of ethanol/water mixture than Na-LTA membranes. At 75 °C, the water flux of the Cu-LTA zeolite membrane is 3.52 kg m−2 h −1 with water/ethanol separation factor of 3591, while the water flux of the Na-LTA zeolite membrane is only 1.65 kg m−2 h−1 with water/ethanol separation factor of 4082.

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