CoAPO-5-type molecular sieve membrane: synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance

The coating of cobalt containing aluminophosphate molecular sieve crystals with the AFI structure has been investigated over a tubular as well as disc shaped α-alumina support. Characterization by SEM and nitrogen gas permeation study suggests a defect-free continuous intergrown CoAPO-5 membrane with a thickness of about 20 μm. The membranes with different cobalt contents were characterized by SEM, EDX, XRD, UV-Vis, and nitrogen permeation. The CoAPO-5 membranes exhibit good activity in the partial oxidation of propane to acetone and 2-propanol under vapor-phase conditions using molecular O2.