(464f) Thermochemial Stability of ZIF Membranes for Membrane Reactor Applications

Thermochemical stability of the supported Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF) membranes is studied for membrane reactor applications. It is found that the membrane/support interface acid-base chemistry has paramount inducing effects on the hydrothermal stability of ZIF membranes, resulting in the fatal acid-catalyzed decomposition of the ZIF frameworks. The ZIF-7/MgO-Al₂O₃ of marked thermochemical stability has permitted the first significant application of MOF membranes for catalytic membrane reactor in severe and practical process conditions, performing water-gas shift reaction (CO + H₂O ↔ CO₂ + H₂) at considerably high temperatures (473–673 K) and steam concentrations (20–40%).