Preparation and pore size shrinkage of palladium–ceramic composite membrane by electroless plating under hydrothermal conditions

Palladium–ceramic composite membranes were prepared on porous α-Al2O3 supports by electroless plating. A novel hydrothermal method was used to control the systemic pressure for the fabrication of palladium membrane. The deposited palladium membranes were investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and a gas permeation test. The pore sizes decreases of palladium deposited hydrothermally and conventionally, is 0.44 and 0.25 μm, respectively.