One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of extended-length ZSM-5/alumina tubular membranes for pervaporation desalination: structure-performance evaluation
Journal of the Australian Ceramic Society, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s41779-026-01426-w
- Journal Name: Journal of the Australian Ceramic Society
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Keywords: Desalination, Hydrophilic pervaporation, Hydrothermal synthesis, Zeolite membrane, ZSM-5 membrane
- Ataturk University Affiliated: No
Abstract
To address freshwater scarcity and the growing global demand for clean water, efficient use of seawater through advanced desalination technologies is essential. Pervaporation (PV) has garnered attention as a sustainable and energy-efficient desalination method that mitigates salinity polarization, a common issue in conventional separation processes. However, the long-term performance of hydrophilic polymeric membranes is often compromised by swelling and poor structural stability. In this work, a robust 30 cm-long Zeolite Socony Mobil − 5 (ZSM-5) zeolite membrane supported on α-alumina tubes was fabricated via a scalable one-pot in-situ hydrothermal method, significantly longer than the < 10 cm lengths typically reported. Characterization using X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Mercury Intrusion Porosimeter (MIP), and mechanical testing confirmed a pure ZSM-5 crystalline phase with a uniformly intergrown, crack-free selective layer (~ 90 μm). The membrane exhibited mesopores (~ 7.6 nm) that enhanced vapor transport and reduced diffusion resistance. During PV desalination, the membrane achieved a maximum water flux of 12.98 kg·m⁻²·h⁻¹ at 80 °C and 1.2 wt% sodium chloride (NaCl), with stable salt rejection of 99.9% across a range of salinities (1.2–4.7 wt%). The membrane also demonstrated strong structural integrity and stable flux, confirming its chemical and thermal resilience. This study highlights one of the few successful demonstrations of long tubular ZSM-5 membranes fabricated via a simplified one-step process, contributing to environmentally sustainable membrane-based desalination and resource-efficient water treatment within the framework of environmental chemical engineering.