The fabrication and H-separation performance of an array of thin free-standing Pd/Ag alloy membranes was studied. Film deposition from an alloyed sputtering target resulted in robust film characteristics. Long-term stability of the membranes was demonstrated by testing at 473 to 627K. Within the test period the membrane withstood more than 30 thermal cycles by returning to ambient temperature between subsequent tests. Throughout the long-term testing, H permeation levels had increased by more than a factor of 2. Electron microscopy of the membranes indicated that performance enhancement was due to microstructural changes which were promoted at high temperatures.

Effect of Microstructure on Hydrogen Permeation through Thermally Stable, Sputtered Palladium-Silver Alloy Membranes. L.S.McLeod, F.L.Degertekin, A.G.Fedorov: Applied Physics Letters, 2007, 90[26], 261905