Flexible ZSM‐5 Zeolite Membrane for High‐Performance Helium Separation

Abstract

Flexible zeolite membranes are promising for scalable and adaptable separation of critical gases such as helium; however, the synthesis of such membranes remains a significant challenge. In this study, we report the successful fabrication of crack‐free ZSM‐5 zeolite membranes on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) supports using a seeded growth method. PTFE‐supported membranes exhibit unprecedented helium permeance of over 6.7×10‐7 mol m‐2 s‐1 Pa‐1 and high He/N2 and He/CH4 separation factors of 17 and 83 respectively, surpassing current state‐of‐the‐art membranes. These flexible membranes maintain excellent separation performance even after bending and stretching. Furthermore, large‐scale membranes demonstrate stable helium separation from multicomponent gas mixtures, showcasing their significant potential for practical helium extraction from natural gas.