Synthesis of MFI and BEA Type Zeolite Membrane Reactor

Zeolite membranes was found to be an appealing material for separation and catalytic chemical reactions considering suitable pore diameter, catalytic characteristic together with their thermal and chemical stability. This study presents fabrication of MFI type and BEA type single layer and MFI/BEA bilayer membranes. First both zeolite type crystals were prepared by hydrothermal reaction in a self-pressured autoclave reactor. Primary growth was conducted by seeding the zeolite crystals on porous α-alumina support. Thereafter, secondary growth solution was made accompanied by hydrothermal treatment for secondary growth. The manipulation of synthesis time and temperature was conducted in order to achieve a continuous and defect-free membrane, while also attaining the desired optimal thickness range of 5μm-7μm.Membrane morphology and thickness was characterized via FE-SEM. Furthermore, the performance of the membranes evaluated in pervaporation-assisted catalytic esterification of alcohol and carboxylic acid.