Inorganic membranes and solid state sciences

The latest developments in inorganic membranes are closely related to recen t advances in solid state science. Sol-gel processing, plasma-enhanced chem ical vapor deposition and hydrothermal synthesis are methods that can be us ed for inorganic membrane preparation. Innovative concepts from material sc ience (templating effect, nanophase materials, growing of continuous zeolit e layers, hybrid organic-inorganic materials) have been applied by our grou p to the preparation of inorganic membrane materials. Sol-gel-derived nanop hase ceramic membranes are presented with current applications in nanofiltr ation and catalytic membrane reactors. Silica membranes with an ordered por osity, due to liquid crystal phase templating effect, are described with po tential application in pervaporation. Defect-free and thermally stable zeol ite membranes can be obtained through an original synthesis method, in whic h zeolite crystals are grown inside the pores of a support. Hybrid organic- inorganic materials with permselective properties for gas separation and fa cilitated transport of solutes in liquid media, have been successfully adap ted to membrane applications. Potential membrane developments offered by CV D deposition techniques are also illustrated through several examples relat ed to the preparation of purely inorganic and hybrid organic-inorganic memb rane materials. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.