High-flux MFI membranes

The synthesis and evaluation of high performance MFI-type membranes is described. These systems exhibit fluxes that are one to two orders of magnitude higher than previous literature reports, with comparable selectivities, when tested for various single component gases and for mixtures of C-4, C-6 and xylene isomers. These materials are the result of a rational fabrication approach targeting ultra-thin, defect-free MFI films on open supports by using a two-step support masking technique and a monolayer of colloidal nucleation seeds, followed by in situ hydrothermal growth, producing a defect-free film with a thickness of 0.5 mum. Reproducibility of the membrane preparation was excellent. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.