Synthesis and properties of A-type zeolite membranes by secondary growth method with vacuum seeding

A-type zeolite membranes were successfully synthesized on tubular α-Al2O3 supports by secondary growth method with vacuum seeding. In the seeding process, a thin, uniform and continuous seeding layer was closely attached to the support surface by the pressure difference between the two sides of the support wall. The effects of seed particle size, suspension concentration, coating pressure difference and coating time on the membrane and its pervaporation properties were investigated. The as-synthesized membranes were characterized by XRD and SEM. The quality of the membranes was evaluated by the pervaporation dehydration of 95 wt.% isopropanol/water mixture at 343 K. High quality A-type zeolite membranes can be reproducibly prepared by the secondary growth method with vacuum seeding under the conditions: seed particle size of 500–1200 nm, suspension concentration of 4–8 g/l, coating pressure difference of 0.0100–0.0250 MPa and coating time of 45–180 s.