Novel two-layered zeolite NaA-silicalite-1 membranes

Abstract

A two-layered zeolite NaA-silicalite-1 membrane has been successfully prepared on a porous α-alumina tube by using seeded hydrothermal synthesis. The procedure involves pre-seeding with nanosized seed and subsequent regrowth by hydrothermal treatment. Single-layered NaA and silicalite-1 membranes were also synthesized for comparison. The membrane was composed of a silicalite-1 layer on top and a NaA layer on the porous support. SEM results of the membrane indicate that both the silicalite-1 layer and the NaA layer are uniform and well-intergrown. The silicalite-1 and NaA layers in the ‘sandwich’ mode have similar thickness of 3–4μm, whereas the thickness of their respective seed layer is different. The NaA seed layer is much thicker than the silicalite-1seed layer. This may be attributed to the different capillary action on the support and NaA layer during using a slip-casting seeding method. XRD analysis has also proved both zeolite NaA and zeolite silicalite-1 layers coexist in the dual-layered membrane. This method is also suitable for preparing other multi-layer zeolite membranes.