Home >> Research Overview >> Research by Faculty Member >> John L. Falconer >> Zeolite Membranes Research >> Preparation and Characterization of Zeolite Membranes
John L. Falconer
Preparation and Characterization of Zeolite Membranes

One objective of our research in zeolite membranes is to prepare new types of zeolite membranes and characterize their separation properties. We have prepared MFI (ZSM-5, silicalite), MEL (ZSM-11), X, Y, Beta, SAPO-34, and SSZ-13 zeolite membranes. These are prepared on alumina and stainless steel tubes and on ceramic multitube monoliths. Zeolite membranes were modified by various methods, including isomorphism substitution of Ge, B, and Fe in the structure, ion exchange, silylation, atomic layer deposition, chemical vapor deposition, and reactions with adsorption sites in the zeolite structure.  Our recent studies have shown that MFI zeiolite membranes are flexible.  Adsorption of n-alkans and other molecules swell the MFI crystals (<0.5% linearly) and this shrinks the sizes of the 2-3 nm defects dramatically.  As a result, many of the methods that have been used in the literature to characterize MFI membranes do not provide an accurate representation of the membrane properties.  Our studies have shown that n-hexane permporosimetry, H2/SF6 and n-butane/i-butane ideal selectivity, n-hexane/2-2, dimethy butane selectivity, and n-butane/H2 selectivity do not accurately characterize MFI membranes because of crystal swelling.

Sample Publications

M. Yu, T.J. Amundsen, M. Hong, J. L. Falconer, , R.D. Noble, “Flexible

     Nanostructure of MFI Zeolite Membranes ” J. Membrane Science 298,

     182 -189 (2007).

M. Yu, J.L. Falconer,  T.J. Amundsen, M. Hong, R.D. Noble. “A Controllable

     Nanometer-Sized Valve”, Advanced Materials  19, 3032-3036 (2007).

M. Yu, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble, “Characterizing non-zeolitic pore volume of

     MFI membranes by temperature-programmed desorption”, Microporous

     Mesoporous Materials, in press (2007).

M. Yu, J.L. Falconer, R.D. Noble,  “Characterizing Non-Zeolitic Pores in MFI

     Zeolite Membranes”, Ind. Eng. Chem. Research, submitted (2007).

J.B. Lee, H. Funke, R.D. Noble, J.L. Falconer, "High Selectivities in Defective

     MFI Membranes", J. Membrane Science, submitted (2007)

S.G. Sorenson, J.R. Smyth, M. Kocirik, A. Zikanova, J.B. Lee, J.L. Falconer, and

     R.D. Noble, “Adsorbate-Induced MFI Zeolite Crystal Expansion”, (2008)

J.B. Lee, H. Funke, R.D. Noble, J.L. Falconer, “Increased Flux through MFI

     Zeolite Membranes due to Adsorption-Induced Crystal Shrinkage”, (2008).

J.L. Falconer and R.D. Noble, “Characterizating MFI Membranes” (2008).

V.A. Tuan, R.D. Noble, and J.L. Falconer, "Isomorphously Substituted Molecular Seive Membranes", U.S. Patent , 6,767,384, July 27, 2004.

M.D. Jia, R.D. Noble, and J.L. Falconer, "Ceramic-Zeolite Composite Membranes and Use for Separation of Vapor/Gas Mixtures", U.S. Patent No. 5,464,798, November 7, 1995.

J. L. Falconer, S.M. George, A.W. Ott, J.W. Klaus, R.D. Noble, and H.H. Funke, "Modification of Zeolite or Molecular Sieve Membranes Using Atomic Layer Controlled Chemical Vapor Deposition", U.S. Patent No. 6,043,177, March 28, 2000.

H.H. Funke, J.W. Klaus, S.M. George, A.W. Ott, J.L. Falconer, and R.D. Noble, "Modified Zeolite Membrane", U.S. Patent No. 6,051,517, April 18, 2000.

Tuan, V. A., S. Li, R. D. Noble, and J. L. Falconer, "Preparation and Pervaporation Properties of a MEL Zeolite Membrane", Chem. Comm., pp. 583-584 (2001).

Li, S., V. A. Tuan, J. L. Falconer, and R. D. Noble, "Separation of 1,3-Propanediol from Glycerol and Glucose using a X-Type Zeolite Membrane", Ind. Eng. Chem. Research 40, 1952-1959 (2001).

Li, S., V. A. Tuan, J.L. Falconer, and R. D. Noble, "X-Type Zeolite Membranes: Preparation, Characterization and Pervaporation Separation Performance", Microporous Mesoporous Materials 53, 59-70 (2002).

Kalipcilar, H., J. L. Falconer, and R. D. Noble "Preparation of B-ZSM-5 Membranes on a Monolith Support" J. Membrane Science 194, 141-144 (2001)

Kalipcilar, H., T. C. Bowen, J.L. Falconer, and R.D. Noble, "Synthesis of SSZ-13 type zeolite membranes on tubular supports", Chemistry of Materials 14, 3458-3464 (2002).

Tuan, V.A., Falconer, J.L., and Noble, R.D., "Boron-Substituted B-ZSM-5 Membranes: Preparation and Separation Performance", AIChE Journal 46, 1201-1208 (2000)

Tuan, V.A., Noble, J.L., and Falconer, J.L., "Isomorphous substitution of Al, Fe, B, and Ge into MFI-zeolite membranes" Microporous Mesoporous Materials, 41, 269-280 (2000).

V. A. Tuan, S. Li, J. L. Falconer, and R. D. Noble, "In-Situ Crystallization of Beta Zeolite Membranes and their Permeation and Separation Properties" Chemistry of Materials 14, 489-492 (2002).

Li, S., V. A. Tuan, J. L. Falconer, and R. D. Noble, "ZSM-11 Membranes: Characterization and Pervaporation Performance for Alcohol/Water Mixtures" AIChE Journal 48, 269-278 (2002).

Tuan, V.A., Falconer, J.L., and Noble, R.D., "Alkali-free ZSM-5 Membranes: Preparation Conditions and Separation Performance", Ind. Eng. Chem. Research 38, 3635-3646 (1999).