Feasibility of fabricating a defect-free nickel composite membrane using the organic-inorganic activation technique

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Nanostructure Material Research Center (NMRC), Sahand University of Technology, P.O. Box 51335-1996, Sahand New Town, Tabriz, Iran

2 Nanostructure Materials Research Center (NMRC), Sahand University of Technology

10.22104/hfe.2025.7498.1350

Abstract

Abstract

This study presents a novel fabrication method for metal/ceramic membranes, providing a cost-effective substitute for traditional expensive Pd-based membranes. providing a cost-effective substitute for traditional expensive Pd-based membranes. While nickel offers a promising replacement for Pd-based membranes, its effectiveness in H2 separation depends on whether it can function independently or must be incorporated into Pd-based alloys to enhance performance and reduce fabrication costs. To investigate this, a homogeneous and thin (2 μm) nickel composite membrane was fabricated with the organic-inorganic activation (OIA) process in the electroless plating (ELP) technique for the first time. At 25°C and a differential pressure of 400 kPa, the hydrogen flux of the membrane was measured at 3.26×10⁻² mol m⁻² s⁻¹, with a separation factor of 3 for H₂/N₂. The findings demonstrated that Knudsen diffusion was the prevailing mechanism for H2 transport across the membrane.



Keywords: Nickel composite membrane; Hydrogen purification; Organic-inorganic activation method; Electroless plating; Knudsen diffusion

Keywords

Main Subjects

Hydrogen, Fuel Cell & Energy Storage

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 10 May 2026

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