Synthesis of BZSM‐5 Membranes Using Nano‐Zeolitic Seeds: Characterization and Separation Performance

Abstract

Abstract Nanoseeds of BZSM‐5 zeolite with a narrow particle size distribution of 100–200 nm were successfully prepared under mild hydrothermal conditions. Thin and oriented BZSM‐5 membranes of 3–4 μm, prepared at low temperature, were manufactured and examined for the separation of 5 wt‐% ethanol/water mixtures. Separation factor and flux were 13.93 and 1.11 kg m –2 h –1 , respectively. The temperature of synthesis showed a remarkable influence on the morphology, crystal orientation and separation performance of the membranes. The thinner a,b‐oriented membrane showed a higher separation performance than the thicker h0h‐oriented one.