Synthesis of SAPO-34 zeolite membranes with the aid of crystal growth inhibitors for CO 2 –CH 4 separation

Small SAPO-34 zeolites and thin membranes were synthesized by using triethylamine as the template and β-cyclodextrin as the crystal growth inhibitor (CGI). The thus obtained SAPO-34 membranes exhibited CO2–CH4 separation selectivities as high as 186. In addition, they displayed CO2 permeance values greater than 2.32 × 10−6 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1.