Zeolite membrane complex, method of producing zeolite membrane complex, separator, membrane reactor, and separation method

A method of producing a zeolite membrane complex, comprising:

• a) preparing a precursor solution by adding at least an aluminum source, a phosphorus source, and a structure-directing agent to a solvent;
• b) generating a starting material solution containing a sol whose particle diameters are less than or equal to 500 nm, by retaining said precursor solution for 3 hours or more on conditions that a pH is higher than or equal to 5 and lower than or equal to 11 and that a temperature is higher than or equal to 10° C. and lower than or equal to 50° C.;
• and
• c) immersing a porous support in said starting material solution to form a zeolite membrane on said support by hydrothermal synthesis,
• wherein said zeolite membrane contains aluminum, phosphorus, and a tetravalent element, and
• said zeolite membrane is composed of an AEI, AFX, AFV, GIS or SAT zeolite, and
• a composition of said zeolite membrane measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is such that:
• a molar ratio of said tetravalent element to said aluminum is higher than or equal to 0.01 and lower than or equal to 0.5;
• a molar ratio of said phosphorus to said aluminum is higher than or equal to 0.5 and lower than 1.0;
• a total molar ratio of said tetravalent element and said phosphorus to said aluminum is higher than or equal to 0.9 and lower than or equal to 1.3;
• and
• said zeolite membrane contains a zeolite crystal with an accessible volume higher than or equal to 450 Å3.