Optimal preparation of low-cost and high-permeation NaA zeolite membrane for effective ethanol dehydration

In this work, low-cost and high permeation NaA zeolite membrane was successfully prepared on kaolinite support by in-situ crystallization using secondary growth method. The effect of synthesis conditions including temperature and time of crystallization, and water ratio was studied aiming to improve the quality and the performance of the membrane. The prepared membrane was thoroughly characterized using many techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area and zeta potential to investigate the layer deposition. The prepared membrane exhibits high permeation flux of 8.49 kg m −2 h−1 and separation factor of 10900 for the dehydration of 90 wt% ethanol by pervaporation at 75 °C.