Preparation and Characterization of Mordenite Thin Films via Pulsed Laser Deposition

Zeolite thin films are interesting for their potential application in membrane based separations, catalysis, and molecular sensing. Mordenite is a one-dimensional channel type zeolite that has been used in alcohol/water separations. Pulsed-laser deposition has been used to prepare partially oriented, crystalline mordenite thin films on stainless steel foil, and frits as well as carbon fibers and DAM-1 particles. Preliminary results for pervaporation of isopropanol/H2O mixtures using mordenite membranes indicate separation factors of 133 and 459 at room temperature and 76°C, respectively.