Superselective Hydrogen Separation through a Mixed Conducting Graphene Oxide Membrane

A cost-effective H₂ separation method is required for the purification of gaseous mixtures containing H₂. Thus, in this study, we investigate the H₂ separation properties of Ce ion-doped partially reduced graphene oxide (prGO) membranes. Pt/C-catalyst-coated, dense, micrometer-thick membranes are fabricated by stacking Ce-prGO nanosheets, followed by thermal annealing. They are permeable to only H₂ at room temperature. H₂ permeation occurs based on mixed conduction; the H₂ initially dissociates into protons and electrons at the feed side. Thereafter, they diffuse into the membrane and recombine to produce H₂ at the permeate side. However, the diffusion of other molecules, such as He and CO₂, is inhibited, resulting in superselective separation. The developed carbon-based mixed proton/electron conduction (MPEC) membrane can be employed for H₂ capture, deuterium gas production from D₂O, and organic molecule deuteration.