A mini-review on recent developments in SAPO-34 zeolite membranes and membrane reactors

Abstract

Silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) zeolite SAPO-34 membranes with a uniform pore size of 0.38 nm and unique adsorption properties have been used in natural gas purification, H₂ purification, Kr/Xe separation and other gas separations. Additionally, owing to their high thermal and chemical stability, SAPO-34 membranes have been used as catalytic membrane reactors to enhance the conversion and selectivity of high temperature reactions such as propane dehydrogenation (PDH) and urea methanolysis to dimethyl carbonate (UM-to-DMC) reactions. This review focuses on the state-of-the-art applications of SAPO-34 membranes in gas separation and catalytic membrane reactors. Their synthesis conditions, permeation mechanism, and performance advantages are examined. Finally, current challenges and future trends of SAPO-34 membranes for industrial application are discussed. We expect this review to be a comprehensive resource on the fabrication of high quality SAPO-34 membranes, and thus help stimulate the application of SAPO-34 membranes in different industrial applications.