Pd membranes were coated onto the outer surface of the
micro-structured Al2O3 hollow fibre substrates using electroless
plating, as described by Paglieri and Way and Mardilovich
et al.
Prior to the deposition of Pd membranes, the outer surface, with the exception of the central 7 cm, and
one end of the fibre were coated with a gas-tight glaze and
sintered at 900 C for 1 h.
After the glazing, the hollow fibres were cleaned by sequential washings with isopropyl alcohol
and water for 10 min in an ultrasonic bath, and were then dried overnight at 120 C.