Crystallization under the influence of flotation: new synthesis routes for self-supported zeolite membranes

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Josef-Christian Buhl
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry ; Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis
• Term: from 2018 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 401008701

The present project focuses on the development of novel techniques for the synthesis of microporous self-supported zeolite membranes. Our recent syntheses utilize a nanocrystalline filer residue from industrial silane production, serving as silicate source. These attempts successfully led to the formation of self-supported SOD, LTA, SOD-LTN and LTA-FAU membranes. Additional findings provide high significance for future improvement of SOD membranes by dynamic exchange of Na+OH- ion pairs and H2O molecules, and by results concerning the avoidance of carbonate enclathration. The preliminary results lead to further fundamental scientific issues, namely (1) an improvement of the membrane density and (2) investigating the utilization potential of commercially available silicate sources instead of the filter residue. Experiments with respect to the issues (1) and (2) are intended to be the subject of final investigations, which will provide further necessary insights into the novel synthesis technique of self-supported zeolite membranes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants