This study aims the development of a highly permeable
ceramic hollow fibre substrate composed of a thin outer
sponge-like layer, for Pd membrane deposition, and a plurality
of self-organized micro-channels, for the reduction of mass
transfer resistance.
More particularly, the multiple and thick
sponge-like layers commonly present in previous HF substrates
are reduced into one continuous and thin outer
sponge-like layer suitable to coat Pd membranes.
Meanwhile, the shorter micro-voids, usually contained between spongelike
layers, are converted into longer micro-channels, with
one end fully opened on the inner surface and negligible mass
transfer resistance.
In order to investigate the role of the outer
sponge-like layer in the formation of defect-free Pd membrane
and its hydrogen permeation, Pd membrane with different
thicknesses were deposited on ceramic hollow fibre substrates
sintered at two different temperatures of 1300 and
1400 C.