A Study of the Influence of Synthesis Parameters on the Preparation of High Performance SSZ-13 Membranes

This study investigated the effect of different synthesis parameters including pre- and post-hydrothermal treatment on the formation of a high-quality SSZ-13 membrane layer. The membranes were identified initially by the gas tightness test, then were characterized by single gas permeation measurements applying H2, He, CO2, N2, CH4, and SF6 at room temperature. The results showed how each parameter affects the performance of the membrane, including structural defects in the formed selective layer, CO2 permeance, and the ideal CO2/CH4 permselectivity. This work focused on optimizing these parameters. An ideal CO2/CH4 permselectivity of up to 122 with CO2 permeance of ~3.72 × 10-6 [mol/(m2sPa)] and CO2/CH4 selectivity of 111 with CO2 permeance of 8.5 × 10-7 [mol/(m2sPa)] in an equimolar mixture at room temperature and pressure drop of 0.15 MPa was achieved. This is one of the highest performances compared to other publications for SSZ-13 or all-Si membranes.