High-temperature planar asymmetric ceramic membranes: Effect of the Pt amount and dispersion on the H2 separation performance

This work investigates for the first time the effect of Pt catalyst amount and dispersion on hydrogen permeation performances of BaCe0.65Zr0.20Y0.15O3−δ–Gd0.2Ce0.8O2−δ (BCZY–GDC) composite planar Cer-Cer membranes with asymmetrical architecture, aiming to maximize the ratio between the permeated hydrogen and the metal content. To boost the hydrogen separation reactions, Pt must be deposited on both the dense and porous sides of the membrane. Moreover, the complex architecture of the porous layer can be used to disperse Pt particles providing a good interaction with the membrane. To fulfil this aim BCZY-GDC membranes composed of a 20 μm thick active dense layer and a 600 μm thick, porous support were produced by tape casting and impregnated with different amounts of platinum. Hydrogen permeation properties were thoroughly investigated examining the composition of the feed and the sweep gasses, temperature, stream humidification, catalyst amount and nature of the dispersion media. The effect of Pt-catalysed hydrogen permeation and water splitting reaction at the permeate side was investigated and discussed. It was found that using an optimal amount of Pt solution to activate the porous side of the membranes is paramount to increase hydrogen permeation in the whole operating temperature range while keeping low the amount of noble metal catalyst. Moreover, the selection of a proper solvent with good interaction with the membrane allows the obtainment of smaller Pt nanoparticles resulting in higher permeation. The best performances in terms of hydrogen permeation (0.74 and 1.29 mL min−1 cm−2 at 750 °C using a feed stream with respectively 50 % and 80 % of H2 in He) were obtained using an acetone-based solution for depositing 1.5 mg cm−2 of Pt at the porous side. This work suggests that the metal deposition plays a non-trivial role in the hydrogen separation process and should be fully evaluated to increase the final performance while cutting down the cost of the Pt catalyst and therefore, of the final device. [Display omitted] •Cer-Cer BCZY–GDC asymmetric membranes were produced by tape casting.•The effect of Pt catalyst amount on H2 permeation performances was investigated.•1.5 mg cm-2 was found to be the optimal Pt amount to activate the porous side.•Using acetone-based solution led to smaller Pt particles and higher permeation.•H2 flux of 0.74 (50 % H2) and 1.29 mL min−1 cm−2 (80 % H2) was obtained at 750 °C.