Sol-gel silica asymmetric membranes were obtained by using tetraethylortosilicate (TEOS) as precursor in an acid solution. The structure of the membranes is composed by a mesoporous silica layer (with average pore radius of 21.6 nm), which is coated by a microporous silica film (with average pore radius of 1.1 nm). The support layer was made using hydrofluoric acid as catalyst, while for the active film we employed nitric acid as catalyst. The support layer has specific surface area of 148 m²/g and specific volume of pores of 1.60 cm³/g. The microporous silica film has specific surface area of 547 m²/g and specific volume of pores of 0.31 cm³/g. The active film has a larger amount of silanol groups than the support layer, as observed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The adhesion of the active film was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Gas permeation test showed that the resistance to gas flow is due principally to the silica film.
silica; membranes; sol-gel
