Membrane comprising a porous carrier and a layer of a molecular sieve and its preparation

The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing a membrane comprising a porous carrier and a layer of a molecular sieve, as well as to novel membranes. The invention applies to filtration or gas or liquid fluid separation, pervaporation, reverse osmosis or catalysis. The invention is directed to a method for preparing a membrane comprising a homogeneous porous carrier, on which a layer of a molecular sieve is deposited, comprising the following steps (i) preparing an inert solution and a precursor solution of the molecular sieve; (ii) impregnating the porosity of the carrier with the inert solution and/or the precursor solution; (iii) bringing the region of the ceramic carrier intended to receive the layer of a molecular sieve into contact with the precursor solution, and bringing the region of the carrier not intended to receive the layer of a molecular sieve into contact with the inert solution; and (iv) forming a molecular sieve in situ. The invention applies e.g., to filtration or gas or liquid fluid separation, reverse osmosis or catalysis.