Preparation of palladium composite membranes by modified electroless plating procedure

A thin palladium composite membrane was produced by modified electroless plating procedure. Compared with the conventional electroless plating procedure, the modified electroless plating procedure consists of the activation of a ceramic substrate by the sol–gel process of a Pd(II)-modified boehmite sol. Additionally, the infiltration of an electroless plating solution to a porous substrate during the deposition of palladium was employed with the filter device to improve adherence of a palladium layer to a substrate. The resulting membrane with a thickness of about 1 μm has a high compactness. The membrane shows a hydrogen selectivity of 20–130 for H₂/N₂, and a hydrogen flux of 1.8–87 m³/m²·h, depending on operation conditions.     

Preparation of Pd/ceramic composite membrane 1. Improvement of the conventional preparation technique

The Pd/ceramic composite membrane made is reported in this paper. The thin palladium film was deposited on the surface of a porous ceramic substrate by the conventional and improved electroless plating technique, respectively. The rate of palladium deposition increases and especially the sensitization and activation steps in the conventional electroless plating process has been omitted by an improved technique.     

氢气气泡模板电化学诱导沉积纳-微米二级结构钙磷盐生物材料的研究

生物材料的多孔结构对于植入后细胞的响应及其与机体组织的有效整合有着决定性的影响. 采用电化学沉积方法在钛基表面成功制备多孔钙磷盐及钙磷盐/蛋白质复合膜层. 本文选择合适的电解液浓度、温度、电流密度、时间和蛋白质添加剂等,可有效地控制钙磷盐晶体的形状、尺寸和柔韧性,并初步探讨了氢气气泡模板的作用机制. 研究结果表明,动态氢气气泡是一种有效的模板,可控制钙磷盐晶体的生长速度,成功构筑纳-微米二级结构钙磷盐生物材料.     

Preparation of silica–alumina composite membranes for hydrogen separation by multi-step pore modifications

In the present paper, a silica–alumina composite membrane for hydrogen separation was prepared within an α-alumina support by the multi-step pore modification. The α-alumina support has an asymmetric structure composed of a thin dense skin layer and a thick coarse layer and the average pore size of its skin layer is 80 nm. The composite membrane layer was formed in the vicinity of the interphase between the two layers of the support by two consecutive steps; namely, in situ silica sol–gel reaction and soaking and vapor deposition. In order to enhance the hydrogen selectivity, palladium (Pd) particles were impregnated in the final step utilizing Pd-acetate as a Pd precursor. Although both silica and Pd induced the surface diffusion, Pd was more effective for selective hydrogen adsorption than silica. This multi-step method produced a porous membrane with moderate hydrogen selectivity and satisfactory hydrogen permeance at high temperature and at high transmembrane pressure. The separation factor of hydrogen relative to nitrogen was maintained at about 10 even when the transmembrane pressure was as high as 110 kPa, and the hydrogen permeance was still much higher than that of non-porous polymeric membranes. In addition, the microstructural distributions of Si and Pd within the intermediate membrane layer were examined by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX)     

Nanometer-thick conformal pore sealing of self-assembled mesoporous silica by plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition

On a porous substrate, regular atomic layer deposition (ALD) not only takes place on top of the substrate but also penetrates into the internal porosity. Here we report a plasma-assisted process in which the ALD precursors are chosen to be nonreactive unless triggered by plasma, so that ALD can be spatially defined by the supply of plasma irradiation. Since plasma cannot penetrate within the internal porosity, ALD has been successfully confined to the immediate surface. This not only gives a possible solution for sealing of porous low dielectric constant films with a conformal layer of nm-scale thickness but also enables us to progressively reduce the pore size of mesoporous materials in a sub-A/cycle fashion for membrane formation.     

Asymmetry of Hydrogen Transfer through a Composite Membrane

Hydrogen mass transfer through a composite membrane represented by a film of palladium (or its alloys) applied onto a porous substrate has been studied. The hydrogen flux through the composite membrane has been shown to be governed by the ratio between the diffusion permeabilities of the film and the porous substrate, the mechanism of the transfer through the film, and the external pressure. It has been found that the intensity of hydrogen transfer through the composite membrane may depend on the transfer direction. The transfer is most asymmetric when the diffusion permeabilities of both layers are close and the hydrogen transfer in the film is limited by diffusion. At the same time, the transfer asymmetry effect does not arise when the hydrogen transfer in the film is limited by adsorption processes on its surface.     

Layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte chains and nanoparticles on nanoporous substrates: molecular dynamics simulations

We performed molecular dynamics simulations of a multilayered assembly of oppositely charged polyelectrolyte chains and nanoparticles on porous substrates with cylindrical pores. The film was constructed by the sequential adsorption of oppositely charged species in a layer-by-layer fashion from dilute solutions. The multilayer assembly proceeds through surface overcharging after the completion of each deposition step. The substrate overcharging fraction fluctuates around 0.5 for nanoparticle-polyelectrolyte systems and around 0.4 for polyelectrolyte-polyelectrolyte systems. The surface coverage increases linearly with the number of deposition steps. The rate of surface coverage increases as a function of the number of deposition step changes when the pore is blocked. The closing of the pore occurs from the pore entrance for nanoparticle-polyelectrolyte systems. In the case of polyelectrolyte-polyelectrolyte systems, the pore plug is formed inside the pore and then spreads toward the pore ends.     

Pd electrodeposited from membrane-separated thin layer cell

Polycarbonate (PC) membranes of different porosity (from 50 nm to 400 nm pore size) were used as separators in a thin layer cell for palladium electrodeposition. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed the formation of Pd layer between the cathode and porous membrane, with subsequent growth inside the pores induced by space limitations of further growth of initial layer. Our estimates confirm that at this stage Pd deposit feels the pronounced mechanical pressure and consider it as a possible reason of specific hydrogen sorption behaviour in the region of β-phase hydride formation. Up to c.a. 1.0 H/Pd atomic ratio is observed for some samples. We consider possible (nano)structural peculiarities responsible for this behaviour.     

无电沉积高密度钯金属纳米线阵列

利用介孔氧化硅薄膜作为模板,通过无电沉积路线在介孔薄膜孔道内合成了高密度钯金属纳米线阵列.利用介孔薄膜导向剂的疏水区作为载体,引进钯金属疏水化合物并经热解和还原,得到钯微粒,以此为催化中心引发无电沉积,避免了传统无电沉积复杂的工艺过程.结果表明,纳米线尺寸均一,长径比大于60,完全填充了介孔薄膜的孔道,并可通过介孔模板孔径的选择对纳米线直径加以调控.     

Pore surface fractal analysis of palladium-alumina ceramic membrane using Frenkel-Halsey-Hill (FHH) model

The alumina ceramic membrane has been modified by the addition of palladium in order to improve the H(2) permeability and selectivity. Palladium-alumina ceramic membrane was prepared via a sol-gel method and subjected to thermal treatment in the temperature range 500-1100 degrees C. Fractal analysis from nitrogen adsorption isotherm is used to study the pore surface roughness of palladium-alumina ceramic membrane with different chemical composition (nitric acid, PVA and palladium) and calcinations process in terms of surface fractal dimension, D. Frenkel-Halsey-Hill (FHH) model was used to determine the D value of palladium-alumina membrane. Following FHH model, the D value of palladium-alumina membrane increased as the calcinations temperature increased from 500 to 700 degrees C but decreased after calcined at 900 and 1100 degrees C. With increasing palladium concentration from 0.5 g Pd/100 ml H(2)O to 2 g Pd/100 ml H(2)O, D value of membrane decreased, indicating to the smoother surface. Addition of higher amount of PVA and palladium reduced the surface fractal of the membrane due to the heterogeneous distribution of pores. However, the D value increased when nitric acid concentration was increased from 1 to 15 M. The effect of calcinations temperature, PVA ratio, palladium and acid concentration on membrane surface area, pore size and pore distribution also studied.     

Preparation of a pinhole-free Pd–Ag membrane on a porous metal support for pure hydrogen separation

A pinhole-free palladium membrane with a thickness of 3 μm has been prepared on the surface of a porous sintered stainless steel tube coated with a thin silver layer as a diffusion barrier. Filling of aluminum hydroxide gel in the surface pores of the tube is effective in preventing defect formation during electroless plating of the palladium layer, while the volume of the hydroxide beneath the membrane decreases greatly upon thermal treatment up to 500 °C. The hydrogen flux at 400–500 °C is reasonably proportional to the pressure difference between the two sides of the membrane. Addition of a 2 μm Pd_0.8Ag_0.2 alloy layer on the membrane by electroplating does not greatly decrease the hydrogen permeability.     

Relationship between the reactions of hydrogen sorption/desorption and methanol oxidation on bifunctional Ni/Pd electrode in alkaline solution

The present paper is aimed at studying the influence of the hydrogen sorption/desorption process occurring on the layered nickel–palladium (Ni/Pd) electrode on the kinetics of the reaction of methanol oxidation in strong alkaline KOH solution. The electrodes were prepared by chemical deposition of a thin layer of porous palladium on a nickel foam support. A scanning electron microscope was used for studying the morphology of both the nickel support and the porous palladium layer. The mechanism of the anodic desorption of hydrogen changes depending on whether or not 6 M KOH electrolyte is admixed with methanol. It was shown that, in the first cycle of the cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements, the anodic peak current and peak charge related to the oxidative desorption of hydrogen significantly decrease due to the presence of methanol in KOH. This effect is attributed to the obstacles in hydrogen sorption due to the formation of a passivating layer on the Pd surface composed of both adsorbed methanol molecules and the intermediate products involving adsorbed CO. On the other hand, hydrogen desorbing from Pd electrode exerts influence on the kinetics of the reaction of methanol oxidation. Ni/Pd electrode undergoes considerable reactivation due to the potentiostatic saturation with hydrogen at ?1.1 V, followed by the ease in hydrogen desorption. The CV measurements proved that, after such a treatment, the peak of hydrogen desorption partially overlaps the double peak of methanol oxidation and, in consequence, the rate of methanol oxidation is enhanced. The positive effect of hydrogen releasing from the electrode on the kinetics of the reaction of methanol oxidation is ascribed to the anti-poison behavior consisting in the reaction of hydrogen radicals with intermediates adsorbed on the Pd surface.     

Synthesis of Pd particle-deposited microporous silica membranes via a vacuum-impregnation method and their gas permeation behavior

Pd particle-deposited microporous silica membranes were synthesized to improve hydrogen permselectivity of the microporous silica membrane and to overcome high cost of palladium and crack formation through hydrogen embrittlement. Pd particles below 400 nm in diameter were readily deposited on the microporous silica membrane via a vacuum-impregnation method by using a Pd(C(3)H(5))(C(5)H(5)) precursor. After deposition of Pd particles on the microporous silica membrane, hydrogen permselectivity over nitrogen considerably increased from 11-28 to 30-115 in a permeation temperature range of 25-350 degrees C due to plugging membrane defects and hydrogen adsorption diffusion through the interface between the Pd and silica layer. The activation energy of the Pd-deposited silica membrane (6.32 kJ mol(-1)) was higher than that of the microporous silica membrane (4.22 kJ mol(-1)). In addition, the Pd-particle deposition led to an increase in the permselectivity of He and CO(2) with little chemical affinity for the Pd particles, which indicates that Pd-particle deposition gives the effect of plugging defects such as pinholes or cracks, which could be formed during the membrane preparation. Therefore it is demonstrated that Pd-particle deposition on the silica membrane is effective for induction of the hydrogen adsorption diffusion and plugging membrane defects.     

Fabrication of a thin palladium membrane supported in a porous ceramic substrate by chemical vapor deposition

A thin, gas-tight palladium (Pd) membrane was prepared by the counter-diffusion chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process employing palladium chloride (PdCl₂) vapor and H₂ as Pd precursors. A disk-shaped, two-layer porous ceramic membrane consisting of a fine-pore γ-Al₂O₃ top layer and a coarse-pore -Al₂O₃ substrate was used as Pd membrane support. A 0.5–1 μm thick metallic membrane was deposited in the γ-Al₂O₃ top layer very close to its surface, as verified by XRD and SEM with a backscattered electron detector. The most important parameters that affected the CVD process were reaction temperature, reactants concentrations and top layer quality. Deposition of Pd in the γ-Al₂O₃ top layer resulted in a 100- to 1000-fold reduction in He permeance of the porous substrate. The H₂ permeation flux of these membranes was in the range 0.5–1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ at 350–450°C. The H₂ permeation data suggest that surface reaction steps are rate-limiting for H₂ transport through such thin membranes in the temperature range studied.     

透氢钯复合膜的原理、制备及表征

钯及其合金膜由于具有透氢性好和耐高温的特点,除了用作氢气分离和纯化器外,还可以用作脱氢、制氢等反应的反应器,以实现反应和分离的一体化,并提高转化率和选择性。本文综述了钯基复合膜的原理、制备及表征,并重点介绍了本研究组的光催化镀膜工艺。     

透氢钯复合膜的原理、制备及表征

钯及其合金膜由于具有透氢性好和耐高温的特点,除了用作氢气分离和纯化器外,还可以用作脱氢、制氢等反应的反应器,以实现反应和分离的一体化,并提高转化率和选择性。本文综述了钯基复合膜的原理、制备及表征,并重点介绍了本研究组的光催化镀膜工艺。     

SEM研究PET核孔膜的光接枝聚合

以PET核孔膜为基材 ,二苯甲酮为引发剂 ,采用光接枝方法实现了丙烯酸和丙烯酰胺在核孔膜上的接枝 ,用扫描电镜 (SEM)直接观察了接枝前后膜的表面形貌 ,考察了不同因素对于接枝位置和接枝效果的影响 .发现膜材料本身特性和接枝反应条件对接枝位置和接枝效果有较大影响 .通过光接枝能够实现膜孔的封盖、缩小、填堵等不同的效果 .采用正侧涂布法反应 ,标准直孔 ,特别是小孔径膜 (0 4 μm) ,不利于孔内的接枝 ,接枝主要在膜的表面 ,从而产生孔封盖效应 .双锥形的非标准直孔 ,由于孔壁的受光性好 ,容易发生孔壁上的接枝从而被填充 .大孔径的膜 (5 μm) ,需要加入交联剂才能在孔壁上形成厚的接枝层 .提出了一种新的反应方法 背侧吸附法 ,反应液依靠毛细作用由膜的底部吸入膜孔 ,膜的向光侧表面不存在反应液 ,接枝只发生在膜孔内 ,从而得到很好的填孔效果 .     

Preparation of a palladium alloy composite membrane supported in a porous stainless steel by vacuum electrodeposition

Pinhole-free palladium/nickel (Pd/Ni) alloy membranes deposited on a porous stainless steel (SUS) support have been fabricated. The deposition was made by vacuum electrodeposition technique which could produce the alloy film less than 1 μm thick. This technique allows for the Pd/Ni alloy by employing Pd/Ni complex reagent, and typical Pd/Ni plating had compositions of 78% Pd and 22% Ni. In order to make the surface smooth and enhance the adhesive bond between the top layer and the substrate, a nascent porous SUS disk was treated sequently with submicron nickel powder and CuCN solution. The important parameters that can affect deposition were pore size, defects, and surface roughness of substrate. The membranes were characterized by permeation experiments with hydrogen and nitrogen at temperatures ranging from 623 to 823 K and pressures from 10.3 to 51.7 cmHg. The composite membranes prepared in this technique yielded excellent separation performance for hydrogen: hydrogen permeance of 5.79×10⁻² cm³/cm² cmHg s and hydrogen/nitrogen (H₂/N₂) selectivity was 4700 at 823 K.     

膜催化研究II. 多孔无要膜的制备与表征及其反应器对甲醇脱氢反应的促进作用

采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了多孔氧化铝膜, 并通过DSC、TGA、SEM、N~2吸附和气体透过率测定等手段, 对膜的性能进行了表征。结果表明, 用这种方法制备的多孔氧化铝膜是一种均匀无裂痕和具有较窄孔径分布(约4nm)的膜材料。将此多孔氧化铝膜制成膜反应器后, 用于甲醇催化脱氢制甲醛的反应, 发现甲醇转化率比常规反应器有较大幅度的提高。同时首次尝试采用溶胶-凝胶法将催化活性组分直接负载到多孔氧化铝膜上, 从而得到了一种具有催化活性的多孔膜, 并考察了它的反应活性。文中对由这两种多孔膜及钯/陶瓷复合膜制成的反应器的特点进行了比较。     

Elimination of the interfering effect of hydrogen on the determination of palladium by stripping voltammetry

The effect of hydrogen on the electrooxidation current of a palladium–hydrogen precipitate is studied. It is shown that the UV irradiation of the solution changes the mechanism of the formation of molecular hydrogen in the electrochemical deposition of palladium. A procedure is developed for determining palladium in platinum metal preconcentrates by stripping voltammetry.