Copper-exchanged LTA zeolite membranes with enhanced water flux for ethanol dehydration

LTA (Linde Type A) molecular sieve has widely used in adsorption and separation due to its regular pore structure, high thermal stability and chemical stability. Copper-exchanged LTA (Cu-LTA) zeolite membranes with enhanced water flux of ethanol dehydration were developed through copper ion exchange of Na-LTA zeolite membrane. In the first step, a thin and well intergrown Na-LTA zeolite membrane was prepared on macroporous α-Al₂O₃ tube which was modified by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Afterwards, copper exchange of the as-synthesized Na-LTA zeolite membranes was done to prepare Cu-LTA zeolite membrane. According to characterizations of XRD, FESEM, and XPS, both the morphology and structure of the Cu-LTA zeolite membranes are identical to those of the Na-LTA zeolite membranes, and there are no cracks and pinholes are found in the membrane layer. Attributing to a wider pore diameter because two sodium ions of Na-LTA framework are replaced by one copper ion, the Cu-LTA zeolite membrane displays a higher water flux in the separation of ethanol/water mixture than Na-LTA membranes. At 75℃, the water flux of the Cu-LTA zeolite membrane is 3.52 kg m^-2 h^-1 with water/ethanol separation factor of 3591, while the water flux of the Na-LTA zeolite membrane is only 1.65 kg m^-2 h^-1 with water/ethanol separation factor of 4082.