Superselective\nHydrogen Separation through a Mixed\nConducting Graphene Oxide Membrane

A cost-effective H<sub>2</sub> separation method is required\nfor\nthe purification of gaseous mixtures containing H<sub>2</sub>. Thus,\nin this study, we investigate the H<sub>2</sub> separation properties\nof Ce ion-doped partially reduced graphene oxide (prGO) membranes.\nPt/C-catalyst-coated, dense, micrometer-thick membranes are fabricated\nby stacking Ce-prGO nanosheets, followed by thermal annealing. They\nare permeable to only H<sub>2</sub> at room temperature. H<sub>2</sub> permeation occurs based on mixed conduction; the H<sub>2</sub> initially\ndissociates into protons and electrons at the feed side. Thereafter,\nthey diffuse into the membrane and recombine to produce H<sub>2</sub> at the permeate side. However, the diffusion of other molecules,\nsuch as He and CO<sub>2</sub>, is inhibited, resulting in superselective\nseparation. The developed carbon-based mixed proton/electron conduction\n(MPEC) membrane can be employed for H<sub>2</sub> capture, deuterium\ngas production from D<sub>2</sub>O, and organic molecule deuteration.