Synthesis of inorganic membranes on supports
AssigneeInrad, Inc.
InventorsWarren Ruderman, James R. Fehlner, Zhenyu Zhang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Inorganic membranes such as zeolite membranes or other molecular sieve membranes can be provided by using silicone polymer material as starting material. A thin film zeolite membrane or a thin film membrane formed of interlocking zeolite crystals can be provided. Water soluble or water insoluble silicones can be treated in a basic solution under conditions and with an appropriate structure directing template, suitable aluminum content and at a temperature that is appropriate for growing a desired inorganic crystal framework. The membranes can be formed across the perforation of a support, such as a steel screen.
Claims37
A membrane array, comprising:
- a support defining a plurality of holes defined by interior walls that are substantially symmetrical about the central axis of the holes and crystalline zeo-type material grown completely across the holes and bonded to the walls defining the holes.
A method of forming an inorganic membrane that can change the composition of fluid contacting the membrane, comprising the steps of combining silicone material in a basic solution with structure determining template material;
- immersing a support defining a plurality of holes therethrough in the solution, the holes defined by walls that are substantially symmetrical about the central axis of the holes;
- heating the solution and support at a temperature of about 90.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. for more than 4 hours;
- and growing a layer of inorganic material completely across the holes of the support.
A method of forming a membrane array, comprising the steps of:
- forming a zeo-type forming gel;
- introducing a perforated support into the gel, the support defining a plurality of holes that are substantially symmetrical about the central axis thereof;
- heating the gel under conditions to convert the gel into zeo-type material and growing the crystalline zeo-type material across the holes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.