Synthesis, Characterization and Performance of Improved orous Zirconia Membrane

A ZrO2 membrane has been prepared by an improved method using zirconium� n�propoxide (ZNP) as a precursor via sol�gel method. In this method hydrolyzing water was released slowly unlike conventional methods, through esterification of 1�propanol and glacial acetic acid. X�ray diffraction (XRD) verified that zirconia membrane was partially transformed to the tetragonal phase. Three times dip coating membrane determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) micrograph is about 0.33 µm in thickness coated on α�alumina tubular support. The pore size distribution of unsupported zirconia was
measured from gas adsorption and desorption indicating two modes centred at 2.0 and 1.8 nm. Pore volume was 0.00134 cm3/g and Brunaur�Emmett�Teller (BET) surface area was found to be 2.59 m2 /g. hermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the weight loss of the samples calcined at temperatures higher than 600 oC showed no significant difference, indicating that the loss of organics is completed at the temperatures. Supported zirconia membrane was
tested by a gas permeation apparatus