Synthesis and characterization of hydrogen separation membranes

Abstract

Hydrogen can be obtained from purification of water gas by ceramic hydrogen separation membranes. These membranes need to be further improved to obtain reasonable production of hydrogen from water gas. Fuel cell materials and state of the art ceramic membranes were characterized by impedance spectroscopy and dielectric measurements. To block the ionic and electronic conductivity, blocking layers of MgO were used. The coating thickness was analyzed by RBS and SEM techniques. Dielectric measurements with blocking layers and impedance measurements without any blocking layers were made over a wide range of temperatures. The data obtained were used to model equivalent circuits. The activation energies and conductivities of the samples were also found from data obtained and were compared with those available in the literature. MgO was found to be a suitable blocking layer material.