Palladium-modified yttria-stabilized zirconia membranes

The reservoir method was applied to produce a continuous palladium (Pd) phase inside the porous yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) membranes. Thin porous YSZ membranes were prepared from YSZ suspension, and the pores were modified with Pd by the liquid-phase impregnation method. Helium permeation experiments showed that the pore size/porosity of the YSZ top layer decreases with the number of Pd impregnations. The number of helium permeation reductions was about three times for the four-time Pd-impregnated YSZ top layer. The Pd phase inside the suspension-derived YSZ layer became continuous after four Pd impregnations, which was confirmed by electrical conductivity measurements.