Graphene Ceramic Composites for Hydrogen Separation Membranes

The Clemson composite membrane provides robust hydrogen separation from mixed gas streams by transport mechanisms based on mixed ionic (proton) and electronic conduction. The global hydrogen generation market has been valued at $115 Billion as of 2017 and is expected to rise to $154 billion by 2022. This growth is influenced by hydrogen’s use as a fuel source and other applications in the petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and chemical manufacturing industries.  Currently, major issues with the process of hydrogen separation involve the cost and stability associated with separation membranes, which generally use expensive metals such as palladium and nickel. Clemson University researchers have designed a cost-effective alternative that implements graphene sheets rather than traditional metals. These novel graphene-ceramic composites are able to lower membrane production costs, provide higher operating temperatures than palladium, and demonstrate greater resistance to oxidation and expansion than nickel. Such improvements will allow for more efficient production of hydrogen, which will provide greater fuel accessibility and lower costs of other processes requiring it.