Surface area analysis and gas transport properties with inorganic ceramic membranes

This work presentsgas transport properties through inorganic ceramic membrane. The characterization of the pore size distribution and the specific surface area of the porous ceramic membrane were carried out using Liquid Nitrogen adsorption at the temperatureof 77K.Both modified and unmodified inorganic porous ceramic membranes were used for the analysis for the purpose of comparison. The surface area of the unmodified and modified membrane was determined using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) isotherm, whereas the pore diameter of both membranes was determined using Barrette-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) curve. The adsorption/desorption curve for the modified membrane showed a type IV/V isotherm, characteristic of a mesoporous structure whereas the specific area of the unmodified ceramic membrane represents a type III isotherm indicating a microporous structure. The examination of the surface morphology of the silica membrane was also analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Single gases used for the analysis include: Argon (Ar), helium (He), nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The gas permeance decreases with respect to gauge pressure (bar) at 393 K in the order of the gas molecular weight i.e CO2>Ar>N2>He indicating Knudsen mechanism.