Fabrication of thin(∼2 μm) pure Ni and Pd–Ni alloy composite membranes by the organic-inorganic activation method for hydrogen separation

Abstract

In this study, we have reported a new strategy to prepare metal/ceramic membranes that can be used as an alternative to conventional high-cost palladium membranes. For the first time, a uniform Ni layer was deposited using the organic-inorganic activation method via the ELP technique. Although, alloying Pd–Ni resulted in a defect-free thin membrane layer (2 μm). The H2 permeation flux of the composite membrane was 1.43 × 10−2 mol m−2 s−1 at 450 °C and TMP of 100 kPa with infinite H2/N2 selectivity. Stage cut effect as a function of transmembrane pressure (TMP) was assessed in binary mixtures at 450 °C. The prepared composite membrane indicated perfect long-time permeance stability for 145 h at 450 °C and TMP of 100–300 kPa. The results showed that solution-diffusion is the dominant mechanism in the hydrogen transport through the composite membranes.