Superhydrophobic polycarbosilane membranes for purification of solar hydrogen

Superhydrophobic membranes composed of an organic-inorganic hybrid polymer, namely polycarbosilane (PCS) with Mw 4–8.9 × 103, were formed on a mesoporous ?-Al2O3-modified ?-Al2O3 porous support. Under dry condition at 50 °C, the supported PCS exhibited H2 permeance 1.1–1.6 10?6 mol·m?2·s?1·Pa?1 and H2/N2 selectivity 9.7–12.6 together unique H2/He 1.4–1.6. Even under saturated humidity remained 7.7 10?8 mol?1 m?2 s?1 Pa?1 improved 26. Moreover, when measurements performed using H2-N2 (2:1) mixed feed gas as simulated syngas produced by novel solar hydrogen production systems, almost unchanged, while N2 was below limit detection. These results revealed great potential PCSs to develop H2-selective for purifying high-humidity conditions around °C. Further study permeation behaviors He, suggested that enhanced could be explained synergistic effect preferential through dense network governed solid state diffusion mechanism blockage micropore channels within permeate H2O-induced plugging hetero interface between superhydrophobic highly hydrophilic ?-Al2O3.