Cross-Linking between Sodalite Nanoparticles and Graphene Oxide in Composite Membranes to Trigger High Gas Permeance, Selectivity, and Stability in Hydrogen Separation

Thin membranes (900 nm) were prepared by direct transformation of infiltrated amorphous precursor nanoparticles, impregnated in a graphene oxide (GO) matrix, into hydroxy sodalite (SOD) nanocrystals. The amorphous precursor particles rich in silanols (Si-OH) enhanced the interactions with the GO, thus leading to the formation of highly adhesive and stable SOD/GO membranes via strong bonding. The cross-linking of SOD nanoparticles with the GO in the membranes promoted both the high gas permeance and enhanced selectivity towards H-2 from a mixture containing CO2 and H2O. The SOD/GO membranes are moisture resistance and exhibit steady separation performance (H-2 permeance of about 4900 GPU and H-2/CO2 selectivity of 56, with no degradation in performance during the test of 50 h) at high temperature (200 degrees C) under water vapor (4 mol %).