Hydrolysis and polycondensation of ethyl silicates. 2. Hydrolysis and polycondensation of ETS40 (ethyl silicate 40)

The effects of catalysts, pH and reaction conditions on the course of the hydrolysis and condensation of ETS40 (ethyl silicate 40), and on the composition of the reaction products were studied with the aid of gas and gel chromatography, potentiometry and gelation tests. Strong acids (HCl, HClO₄, HNO₃, H₂SO₄, p-toluenesulphonic acid), weak acids (Cl₃, CCOOH, ClCH₂COOH, (COOH)₂, CH₃COOH and HCOOH) and bases (LiOH, NH₄,OH) were used as catalysts.

The hydrolysis rate increased with increasing temperature, catalyst concentration, initial water concentration and initial ethyl silicate concentration, whereas it decreased with increasing number of Si atoms in the ethyl silicate molecules. At pH 0–7 the hydrolysis was acid catalysed, but at pH above 7.0 it was base catalysed. Simultaneously with the hydrolysis, condensation occurred at a rate which increased with increasing temperature, catalyst concentration, ETS40 concentration and, above all, with increasing initial water concentration. The condensation rate depended on the pH. The condensation was at its slowest for pH around 2.0. For pH below 2.0, the condensation increased with increasing hydrogen ion concentration; for pH above 2.0 the condensation increased with decreasing hydrogen ion concentration. Phosphoric acid and hydrofluoric acid increased the rate of condensation considerably. The reaction of ETS40 with water at pH around 2.0 gave rise during the hydrolysis to solutions of ethoxyhydroxysiloxanes with an average of 14–20 Si atoms in a molecule, which displayed long-term stability.     

Hydrolysis and polycondensation of ethyl silicates. 1. Effect of pH and catalyst on the hydrolysis and polycondensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS)

The effect of pH and of catalysts on the course of the hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in water—ethanol solution was studied with the aid of chromatography, potentiometry and gelation tests. Strong acids (HCl, HClO₄, HNO₃, H₂SO₄, p-toluenesulphonic acid), weak acids (Cl₃CCOOH, (COOH)₂, ClCH₂COOH, CH₃COOH, HCOOH) and LiOH were used as catalysts. The rate of hydrolysis depended on the pH of the solution and not on the chemical structure of the catalyst. The hydrolysis was both acid and base catalysed and its rate was at a minimum at pH 7.0.

The rate of condensation of the reaction products of the hydrolysis of TEOS (water—ethanol solutions of ethoxyhydroxysiloxanes) was at a minimum at a pH of about 2.0. The condensation was both acid and base catalysed and was markedly accelerated by both HF and H₃PO₄.     

Surface silylation and pore structure development of silica aerogel composites from colloid and TEOS-based precursor

Flexible aerogel-fiber composites were prepared by silylation and ambient drying of colloidal silica and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS)-based sol. After immersing glass fiber matrices into silica sol with colloid-based, colloid/TEOS-based, and TEOS-based silica sol, it was surface-modified in a trimethylchlorosilane/n-hexane solution and heat-treated at 230 °C in ambient atmosphere. Surface silylation of silica aerogel synthesized from colloid and TEOS-based silica sols showed different behaviors. For colloid silica gel, it was comprised of small sized mesopores because colloid-based silica gel has dense networks through great degrees of hydrolysis and condensation. On the contrary, TEOS-based aerogel was consisted of relatively large-sized pores because of comparatively lesser degree of hydrolysis and condensation. Through this study, we can know that the pore structures of silica aerogel could be controlled by choosing colloid or TEOS-based precursor and surface silylation reaction.     

超声波作用下的钛醇盐水解法制备纳米TiO2

近十几年来, 有关二氧化钛光催化性能的研究已引起人们的浓厚兴趣, 在此方面进行了大量研究. 目前, 纳米二氧化钛的制备方法主要有化学沉淀法、溶胶-凝胶法、气相法和水热法等[1,2]. 超声化学是近年来新兴的一门边缘交叉学科, 已被应用于制备具有特殊结构和性能的纳米材料, 如金属[3]、碳化物[4]、氮化物[5]、氧化物[6]、合金[7]以及生物材料[8]等, 但对于超声作用在纳米粒子晶型转变方面的研究报道较少.     

Hydrolysis of cyano(pyrrolyl-1)borates

The kinetics and mechanism of the hydrolysis of several cyano(pyrrolyl-1)borates in aqueous medium has been investigated. The hydrolysis of cyanophenyl(pyrrolyl-1)-borates, cyano(tripyrrolyl-1)borate and cyanohydro(pyrrolyl-1)borates proceeds via two kinds of reactions; (a) a special H⁺ ion catalyzed reaction (A-1 mechanism) and (b) a H⁺ ion concentration-independent process of S_N1 mechanism. In acidic medium the [BH₂(NC₄H₄)CN]⁻ anion is reversibly protonated at the -carbon of the pyrrolyl group and a product with composition C₄H₅N · BH₂CN, stable towards hydrolysis is also formed.

In the H⁺ ion catalyzed reaction the B---N bond very likely breaks, whereas upon the [H⁺] ion concentration-independent reaction a B---CN cleavage occurs. The presence of the cyano substituent significantly increases the hydrolytic stability of the B---N bond, whereas the pyrrolyl-1-substitution remarkably decreases the stability of the B---CN bonding.     

钾改性氧化铝基羰基硫水解催化剂及其失活机理

天然气、油田伴生气、高炉煤气等化工生产过程中伴生COS气体,不仅会腐蚀管道和毒害催化剂,还会严重污染环境并危害人类健康。COS催化水解反应可在温和条件下高效的将COS脱除,是最具应用前景的COS脱除技术之一。碱金属元素因其具有独特的电子供体性质、表面碱性和静电吸附等特性,常被用作助催化剂以提高Al₂O₃的COS催化水解性能。近年来,以钾为助剂改性的Al₂O₃催化剂(K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃)在COS催化水解反应中得到广泛的应用,但由于负载在Al₂O₃上的K物种的组成复杂,目前研究者对K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃催化剂上COS水解机理的理解仍存在一定的困惑和争议。本论文通过湿法浸渍法合成出一系列钾盐和钠盐改性的Al₂O₃催化剂,并利用各类先进的表征技术对这些催化剂进行分析。活性测试表明,以K₂CO₃、K₂C₂O₄、NaHCO₃、Na₂CO₃和NaC₂O₄改性Al₂O₃催化剂均有助于COS的水解。其中K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃拥有最佳的COS水解性能,连续运行20 h后其COS转化率仍高于~93%,远远优于未改性的Al₂O₃ (~58%)。我们利用原位红外光谱和X射线光电子能谱探明了反应过程中催化剂的化学结构特征,阐明了H₂O分子在K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃上的水解作用机制。原位红外表明COS在K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃上的水解过程中形成了硫代碳酸氢盐中间产物。X射线光电子能谱表征证明催化剂的失活主要是因为催化剂表面积累了硫酸盐和单质硫。此外,我们还研究了水蒸气含量对COS水解性能的影响,研究发现,由于H₂O和COS分子在催化剂表面存在竞争吸附,过量的H₂O会引起催化活性的下降。上述研究表明,K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃催化剂上COS水解性能的提高主要是形成了HO-Al-O-K界面活性位。更为重要的是,所制备的催化剂都是在模拟工业工况条件下进行的,这为后续的工业应用提供了宝贵理论指导。本工作为理解助剂钾在Al₂O₃催化剂上COS水解活性的增强提供了新的见解,这为未来设计稳定高效的COS水解催化剂打开了新的发展方向。     

Sterically stabilized silica colloids: Radical grafting of poly(methyl methacrylate) and hydrosilylative grafting of silicones to functionalized silica

Colloidal silica sols having a narrow dispersity, prepared by the ammonia-catalyzed hydrolysis of Si(OEt)₄, were functionalized by reaction with vinyltrimethoxysilane (H₂C?CHSi(OMe)₃) or methacryloxypropyltri-methoxysilane (H₂C?CMeCO₂(CH₂)₃Si(OMe)₃. The electrostatically stabilized colloids were stable in acetone and dimethylformamide. Radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of either type of functionalized particle led to particles with surfacegrafted poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The efficiency of polymer grafting was shown to be related to the nature of the functional groups. The PMMA-modified, sterically stabilized particles were colloidally stable in solvents ranging from acetone to toluene but unstable in water or hexane. The vinyl functionalized silica was alternatively reacted with HSiMe₂-terminated silicones in a platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation. The resultant sterically stabilized particles were stable in hexane. It was thus possible to convert the unmodified silica to organo-functionalized silica and finally to polymer-grafted silica while maintaining colloidal stability. During the course of these modifications, the mechanism for colloidal stability changed from electrostatic to steric stabilization.     

Double annulations of dihydroxy- and diacetoxy-dialkynylbenzenes. An efficient construction of benzodifurans

An efficient synthetic route to construct disubstituted benzodifurans from dihydroxy- or diacetoxy-dialkynylbenzenes utilizing Cs₂CO₃ or Pd(OAc)₂/Cs₂CO₃ promoted double annulations is described. The scope for the reaction in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)₂ is more general. In addition, it was observed that NaOH-promoted reaction of diacetoxy-dialkynylbenzenes may directly afford in THF/MeOH/H₂O at 80 °C benzodifurans through hydrolysis and double cyclization in a one-pot manner. However, in most cases, the reaction is less selective affording a mixture of the double cyclization products and monocyclization–hydrolysis products.     

An NMR Study of MeTMS Based Coatings Filled with Colloidal Silica

Coatings were prepared by mixing MeTMS and an aqueous colloidal silica. Mixing of an MeTMS hydrolysis mixture with the aqueous colloidal silica is only possible, without flocculation of the colloidal silica particles, within a certain time window. ²⁹Si NMR was used to follow the hydrolysis/condensation reactions of MeTMS, whereas ¹H NMR was used to monitor the reaction of the MeTMS monomers and oligomers with the silica surface in the coating liquid. The reaction of MeTMS with the surface of the SiO₂ particles is determined by the oligomer size. Typical SiO₂ surface coverage is less than 3 molecules/nm² (approximately one monolayer). Large MeTMS oligomers and/or cyclic species do not react with the SiO₂ surface. These species are probably too apolar to react or absorb at the SiO₂ surface. Flocculation of the aqueous colloidal silica occurs due to the low polarity of the hydrolysis mixture. The water content and the degree of condensation of the MeTMS determine the width of the time window.     

Preparation and characterization of alumina supported silicalite membranes by sol–gel hydrothermal method

Two types of unsupported zeolites (silicalite-1 and silicalite-2) and porous alumina discs supports were prepared by the hydrothermal sol–gel synthesis method. The influence of the raw materials used as SiO₂ source, the temperature of the thermal treatment and the presence of the ceramic support on the crystallization of zeolites were studied. The reaction products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR spectroscopy (IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. The SiO₂ source had a significant effect on the final zeolite obtained: the use of colloidal silica sol (ZCS) as SiO₂ source in the synthesis led to ZSM-11 (silicalite-2) crystals, while the sodium silicate solution (ZSS) produced the ZSM-5 (silicalite-1) type. The presence of the alumina support influences the crystallization process of ZSM-5, as it improves nucleation and the ordering of the crystals.     

A NMR Study on the Hydrolysis,Condensation and Epoxide Ring-Opening Reaction in Sols and Gels of the System Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane-Water-Titaniumtetraethoxide

The examination of hydrolysis, homo- and hetero-condensation reactions, of the condensation degree and the extent of epoxide ring opening in the course of sol-gel process was carried out by means of liquid- and solid-state 29Si and 13C NMR in the system 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS)-titaniumtetraethoxide-water (molar ratio 1 : 1 : 1.5–14) which is frequently used for the synthesis of heterometal hybrid polymers. The monomeric silanol groups in the GPTS-prehydrolysate immediately co-condense with the Ti-tetraethoxide to Si–O–Ti bonds to an extent of about 50–60% which remain stable in sols and also in the corresponding gels at low amounts of free water (0.02 H2O/OR) in the sol. An increasing amount of free water in the sol (0.12 H2O/OR) leads to an increased hydrolytic cleavage of the heterometal bonds and to the formation of homo-condensed polysiloxanes. The condensation degree of RSiO1.5 units in the Ti-containing sols is with 30–60% relatively high in comparison to Ti-free GPTS sols (ca. 5%) whereas the condensation degree of GPTS derived gels (81%) was found to be similar to that of the Ti-containing gels (60–80%). Ti-tetraethoxide accelerates the ring opening reaction of the epoxide group in the sols in dependence on the water content. Up to 78% of the epoxide rings are opened after 24 h in the sol with the highest water content (2 H2O/OR). No epoxide rings can be detected in Ti-containing gels which derive from sols with an amount of free water of 0.12 H2O/OR. The results give a first insight into the different parallel reactions in this system and can contribute to more structure controlled syntheses of heterometal hybrid polymers.     

Formation of TiO2 Sols,Gels and Nanopowders from Hydrolysis of Ti(OiPr)4 in AOT Reverse Micelles

Titania sols, gels and nanopowders have been produced by the controlled hydrolysis of tetraisopropyltitanate (TPT) in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles. Particle formation and aggregation have been investigated by photon correlation spectroscopy, the crystal phases by FT-Raman spectroscopy, and the crystallite dimensions of the precipitates by transmission electron microscopy. Nanoparticles could be produced at relatively high Ti(IV) concentrations (up to 0.05 mol dm^–3). These nanoparticles aggregated into sols, with colloid sizes of 20–300 nm, eventually forming gelatinous precipitates. The kinetics of particle formation and aggregation were controlled by varying the primary process parameters [TPT], [H₂O]/[AOT] (w₀), and [H₂O]/[Ti(IV)] (R), yielding a range of products including stable, transparent sols, precipitates and monolithic gels. The aggregation kinetics and physical properties of the sols depended strongly on w₀. Different titania phases were produced, depending on w₀; w₀ 6 yielded amorphous particles, while w₀ 10 produced anatase. The dimensions of the crystallites were comparable to those of the parent reverse micelles. A model was developed to interpret the effect of the primary process parameters on colloidal stability: (1) nucleation to form primary crystallites occurs by rapid hydrolysis and condensation reactions within the reverse micelle and (2) subsequent colloidal growth by aggregation occurs by reverse micellar exchange, where the rate of growth is governed by electrostatic and steric stability factors which increase as [AOT]/[TPT] (S) and residual [H₂O]/[AOT] (w_r) increase.     

Hydrolysis of fluorosilanes: a theoretical study

Hydrolysis and condensation of simple trifluorosilanes, HSiF3 and MeSiF3, was studied by quantum mechanical methods. Hydrolysis of fluorosilanes is highly endothermic. The Gibbs free energy of the first reaction step in the gas phase is 31.4 kJ/mol, which corresponds to an equilibrium constant of 10(-6). Hydrolysis of the subsequent fluorine atoms in trifluorosilanes is thermodynamically more unfavorable than the first step of substitution. No significant difference in thermodynamics of hydrolysis was found between HSiF3 and MeSiF3. The activation energy for hydrolysis by a water dimer is significantly lower than that for hydrolysis by a water monomer. The former reaction is also less unfavorable thermodynamically, due to a high binding energy of the HF-H2O complex formed as a product of hydrolysis. Self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) calculations show that hydrolysis of trifluorosilanes in aqueous medium has lower activation energy than in the gas phase. It is also thermodynamically less unfavorable, due to better solvation of the products. Homofunctional condensation of HSiF2OH is thermodynamically favored. The equilibrium mixture for hydrolysis/condensation of RSiF3 in water is predicted to contain ca. 2.3% disiloxane (HF2Si)2O, if 100-fold excess of water relative to silane is assumed. Further hydrolysis of (HF2Si)2O is negligible. The thermodynamics of fluorosilane hydrolysis contrasts with that of chlorosilanes, where both hydrolysis and condensation are strongly favorable. Moreover, in the case of trichlorosilanes each subsequent hydrolysis step is more facile, leading to the product of full hydrolysis, RSi(OH)3.     

Reflectance FTIR investigations of the reactions of silanes on silica surfaces

CIR sampling has been used to demonstrate that the antimicrobial silane SiQAC is stable hydrolysis in aqueous solution at near neutral pH values. However, rapid hydrolysis occurs in mildly acidic solutions, but not accompanied by condensation of the silanol groups. After hydrolysis, condensation to form siloxane bonds is rapid in basic solution. The degree of hydrolysis is increased in the presence of silica gel. The silane on silica gel is quite durable towards desorption when contacted with water.     

Photocatalytic reaction of neat alcohols by metal-loaded titanium(IV) oxide particles

The photocatalytic reaction (excitation wavelength, greater than 300 nm) of neat alcohols (ethanol or 2-propanol) by metal-loaded titanium(IV) oxide (TiO₂) was conducted under argon at room temperature. The dehydrogenation products hydrogen (H₂) and acetaldehyde (or acetone in the case of 2-propanol) were found in the absence of additives. The corresponding acetals, ethers, and alkanes were obtained by the addition of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl). The measurement of the product yields during the post-irradiation dark reaction in the presence of photocatalyst (TiO₂) loaded with platinum(IV) oxide (PtO₂) revealed that the production of ether and ethane and the regeneration of ethanol proceed by the hydrogenation of acetal over loaded metal, presumably via a hemiacetal intermediate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses showed that the loaded PtO₂ is reduced to platinum metal during the course of the photocatalytic reaction. For the production of ether from HCl-acidified ethanol, Pd-loaded catalysts, especially prepared by precipitation—reduction, exhibit the highest activity of several metal-loaded TiO₂ catalysts. From XRD and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies of Pd-loaded TiO₂ particles, it was shown that the smaller the size of the Pd particles, the higher the selectivity for ether production from the acidified ethanol suspension. The application of this photocatalytic O-alkylation to the synthesis of cyclic ethers was demonstrated.     

Behaviour of water-soluble dinuclear rhodium complexes in the hydroformylation reaction of oct-1-ene

The biphasic hydroformylation reaction of oct-1-ene, has been investigated by using the water-soluble dinuclear complex [Rh₂(μ-S^tBu)₂(CO)₂(TPPTS)₂] as precursor. Addition of ethanol as a cosolvent dramatically improved the yields but the good regioselectivity in linear aldehyde observed for neat oct-1-ene—water systems (97%) decreased to 83% (for 22% ethanol w/w). It is shown that the dinuclear framework cannot be maintained, that the mononuclear complex [RhH(CO)(TPPTS)₃] is formed, and that thiol and significant amounts of [Rh₂(μ-S^tBu)₂(CO)₄] move into the organic phase. This reaction from the dinuclear species requires the simultaneous presence of water and carbon monoxide. Introduction of the water-soluble thiol HS(CH₂)₃NMe₂ in the bridging positions affords the complex [Rh₂(μ-S(CH ₂)₃NHMe₂)₂(CO)₂(TPPTS)₂]Cl₂ which can be kept in the aqueous hase but has a low level of catalytic activity.     

离子液体BmmimOAc催化2-芳氨基乙醇与二硫化碳一步缩合合成3-芳基-2-噻唑硫酮

噻唑硫酮因具有独特的生物活性,使其在医学和杂环化学等领域有着广泛的应用,从而引起了科研工作者的研究兴趣。本文以离子液体1-丁基-2, 3-二甲基咪唑鎓醋酸盐(BmmimOAc)为催化剂,2-芳氨基乙醇和二硫化碳为起始原料,一步缩合合成3-芳基-2-噻唑硫酮。以2-苯氨基乙醇和二硫化碳的反应为模型,考察了一系列离子液体的催化活性。发现只有阴离子为醋酸根的离子液体才具有催化活性,这可能是由醋酸根的碱性所导致的。在这些阴离子为醋酸根的离子液体中,BmmimOAc的催化活性最高。以其为催化剂,系统考察了反应时间、反应温度、催化剂用量以及二硫化碳和2-苯氨基乙醇摩尔比对该反应的影响。得到最优的反应条件：反应时间6 h、反应温度130 ℃、10%的BmmimOAc用量以及5 : 1的二硫化碳和2-苯氨基乙醇摩尔比。在该反应条件下,目标产物3-苯基-2-噻唑硫酮的收率达到了97%。以不同的2-芳氨基乙醇为原料,考察了该反应的普适性。结果表明无论是具有给电子基团、吸电子基团或较大空间位阻的2-芳氨基乙醇均可顺利地与二硫化碳反应生成相应的3-芳基-2-噻唑硫酮,且分离收率高达83%–95%。核磁共振波谱和质谱分析表明反应过程中BmmimOAc的醋酸根阴离子可以自发地与二硫化碳反应生成硫代醋酸根阴离子,因此离子液体1-丁基-2, 3-二甲基咪唑鎓硫代醋酸盐(BmmimCOS)可能是2-芳氨基乙醇和二硫化碳反应的催化剂。通过核磁共振波谱研究了BmmimCOS与反应底物2-苯氨基乙醇和二硫化碳之间的相互作用,发现BmmimCOS与2-苯氨基乙醇之间存在氢键相互作用。在反应过程中硫代醋酸根阴离子通过氢键作用活化2-苯氨基乙醇,从而促进反应高效进行。基于表征结果,提出了一个可能的反应机理。首先,BmmimOAc自发地与二硫化碳反应生成BmmimCOS。然后,BmmimCOS中的硫代醋酸根阴离子通过氢键作用活化2-苯氨基乙醇。随后,活化的2-苯氨基乙醇与二硫化碳反应生成中间体。最后,中间体分子内环化生成目标产物3-苯基-2-噻唑硫酮。     

碱催化剂g-C3N4在液相反应中溶胀特性的研究

Graphitic carbon nitrides (g-C₃N₄) with different surface areas were prepared by pyrolysis using different precursors including melamine, dicyandiamide, thiourea and urea, and subsequently characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and N2 adsorption. Their basicities were measured by temperature-programmed desorption of CO₂ (CO₂-TPD) and acid-base titration. The catalytic properties for the Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde and malononitrile were investigated in various solvents. In non-polar toluene solution, the benzaldehyde conversions of the g-C₃N₄ catalysts were low and changed according to their respective surface areas and basicities. However, in polar ethanol solution, the benzaldehyde conversions of all catalysts were similar, and much higher than those in toluene. This could not be explained by the results obtained from either of the two conventional basicity measurements. Further experimental results proved that g-C₃N₄ catalysts swelled in polar solutions, and more basic sites were exposed on the surface of the swollen catalysts, leading to the imminent increase in catalytic activity. This was proved by the catalyst poisoning data, which showed that the g-C₃N₄ catalyst lost its activity completely in toluene by adding 40.9 mmol·g^-1 benzoic acid, while the same catalyst was still active in ethanol until the added amount exceeded 143.3 m·g^-1. Additionally, the reaction tests in various solutions showed that the swelling effect was enhanced according to the polarity of the solvent used. A similar conclusion could be reached for the Knoevenagel condensation of furfural and malononitrile in various solvents. The reusability of g-C₃N₄ catalyst in Knoevenagel condensation was also studied, which showed that g-C₃N₄ was stable in liquid-phase reactions, whose activity dropped from 74.2% to 63.8% after three regeneration processes.     

冠醚化Schiff 碱配合物金属胶束催化BNPP水解动力学

研究了两种新的冠醚化Schiff 碱过渡金属配合物与表面活性剂Brij35(聚氧乙烯(23)十二烷基醚)形成的金属胶束对BNPP（对硝基苯酚磷酸二酯）的催化水解反应. 探讨了催化反应机理, 建立了一种金属胶束催化BNPP水解的动力学数学模型; 计算了模拟酶催化反应的相关参数和表观活化能. 结果表明, 此类金属胶束作为模拟水解金属酶对BNPP水解反应表现出良好的催化活性.     

Study on the variation of morphology and separation behavior of the stainless steel supported membranes at high temperature

Palladium composite membranes were prepared on stainless steel (SUS) supports modified by nickel submicron powder and colloidal silica sols. Permeation tests of the palladium composite membranes were carried out at high temperature in order to observe the thermal stability of the membrane. The palladium composite membrane failed with formation of plenty of pinholes in the presence of hydrogen at high temperature. The failure of the composite membrane was verified by comparing the nitrogen permeance before hydrogen permeation test with that after hydrogen permeation test and comparing the H₂/N₂ selectivity for single gas permeation test with that for mixture gas permeation test. The variation of the membrane surface due to the failure of the membrane was characterized in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) analyses. As a result, it can be concluded that reducible metal oxides can be attributed to the failure of the composite membranes resulting from reduction of the metal oxides by hydrogen whichever position in the membrane the metal oxides are layered.