Porous and dense Ni hollow fibre membranes

Nickel hollow fibre membranes were prepared by extruding a polymer solution containing suspended nickel (Ni) powder to green hollow fibres, which were then sintered at elevated temperature under an argon atmosphere. The hollow fibres were characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) X-ray, diffractometer (XRD), mercury porosimeter, gas permeation test and conductance measurements. Porous Ni hollow fibres with micron-sized pore structures can be obtained directly by sintering the green fibre at relatively lower temperatures. Heated at a higher temperature (i.e., 950 degrees C), the Ni hollow fibres became gas-tight membranes which are of great interest for hydrogen separation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.