THIN-FILM SEMIPERMEABLE MEMBRANES, A METHOD FOR THEIR PREPARATION AND HYDROGEN-SENSING AND-SEPARATING DEVICES INCLUDING THEM

摘要

A thin-film polymer-blend membrane comprises a blend of an inorganic compound and a compatible organic polymer. The inorganic compound may be a heteropoly acid or salt thereof, a phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid and is usually present in the blend in an amount of from 1% to 70% by weight of the blend. The blend may have electrically conductive particles added and/or may be supported on a porous support. The membrane may be prepared by dissolving the inorganic compound and organic polymer in a mutually miscible solvent, casting the resulting blend on a casting surface, removing the solvent and recovering the membrane. It may be used in devices for sensing hydrogen or separating hydrogen from other gases.