Morphological control of La_0.7Sr_0.3Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3-δ and La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO_3-δ catalytic membrane using PEG-H₂O additive

Methane is the primary combustible component in non condensable part of natural gas. It is a promising source for syngas (CO and H2) production by partial oxidation method. The conversion of methane to syngas by partial oxidation method needs a controlled amount of oxygen. Membrane which has asymmetric structure and selectively permeates oxygen can be used to supply just enough oxygen to the reaction. One pathway to the fabricate asymmetric membrane is phase inversion method with an addition of PEG to increase pore size. La0.7Sr0.3Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ (LSCF 7328) and Laa0.7Sr0.3MnO3-δ (LSM 73) powder were synthesized by solid-state method and they were characterized by XRD. The green membrane was prepared by phase inversion method. A dope solution was made by mixing LSCF 7328 or LSM 73 powder with PEG and stirred them in NMP for 24 h. PESf was then added into the dope solution and the stirring was continued to another 24 h. The resulted dope solution was degassed by immersing the solution inside and conical flask in an ultrasonic bath to remove air bubbles. The degassed mixture was then casted by spreading it on a glass surface (with a thickness of 2 mm) followed by immersion in a water bath for 24 h to coagulate the degassed mixture. Membrane morphology was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) while the decomposition temperature of the polymer binder was analyzed by Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). The XRD results show that phase of LSCF 7328 and LSM 73 are similar to LaCoO3 and LaMnO3, respectively. It indicated that the perovskite synthesis was successful. SEM micrograph of membrane cross sections show that the green membrane have finger like pores and a dense layer. Pores also appear on top and bottom surface of the membrane. Based on TGA results, the highest weight lost of green membrane at 550-600°C which represents the decomposition of PESf binder.