Superselective Hydrogen Separation through a Mixed Conducting Graphene Oxide Membrane

A cost-effective H2 separation method is required for the purification of gaseous mixtures containing H2. Thus, in this study, we investigate the H2 separation properties of Ce ion-doped partially reduced graphene oxide (prGO) membranes. Pt/C-catalyst-coated, dense, micrometer-thick membranes are fabricated by stacking Ce-prGO nanosheets, followed by thermal annealing. They are permeable to only H2 at room temperature. H2 permeation occurs based on mixed conduction; the H2 initially dissociates into protons and electrons at the feed side. Thereafter, they diffuse into the membrane and recombine to produce H2 at the permeate side. However, the diffusion of other molecules, such as He and CO2, is inhibited, resulting in superselective separation. The developed carbon-based mixed proton/electron conduction (MPEC) membrane can be employed for H2 capture, deuterium gas production from D2O, and organic molecule deuteration.