Dense Membrane for Hydrogen Separation Based on High Proton Conductivity and Chemical Stability

72081S03-I Membranes used for hydrogen separation need to be enhanced in terms of protonic conductivity, contaminant resistance/chemical stability, mechanical properties, and compatibility with integrated gasification combined cycles (IGCC) at elevated temperature, typically 600-900 0C. This project will increase the protonic conductivity of a dense membrane by using a novel nanocrystalline yttrium doped-BaCeO3 electrolyte and will increase chemical stability through partial substitution of cerium by zirconium in the electrolyte. The innovative membrane will have high performance due to improvements in hydrogen permeability, surface activity, chemical stability, and mechanical property. In Phase I, a novel nanostructured membrane material with high proton conductivity and chemical stability will be synthesized and economically fabricated into a dense membrane using a thermal spray technique. The performance of the new nanostructured membrane will be tested for electrical conductivity, chemical stability, mechanical property, and hydrogen flux rate. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: The membrane technology should be economical, simple, rapid, capable of being commercially manufactured, and viable for producing functional membrane reactors and devices such as solid oxide fuel cells. Potential applications include hydrogen separation in integrated gasification combined cycles (IGCC), hydrogen pumps, hydrogen sensors, ultrahigh purity hydrogen production for semiconductor manufacture, high temperature humidity sensors, exhaust gas (CO, NO) detection and removal, and extraction of tritium and deuterium from fusion and fission coolant streams.