SBIR Phase I: An Engineered Diffusion Barrier for Preparation of Pd Membranes on Tubular Porous Stainless Steel Substrate

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的重点是开发一种创新的扩散阻挡层，用于在管状多孔不锈钢基底上制备Pd薄膜。支撑在管状多孔SS基底上的薄Pd膜为钯膜用于氢气生产/回收，特别是用于大规模应用提供了商业上可行的途径。提出了一种微工程扩散阻挡层，它能够在概念上适应金属衬底表面的物理变化，热失配，和其他因素。更重要的是，这种扩散阻挡层提供了调整其孔径和表面形貌的灵活性，以最佳地用于通过化学镀形成超薄、无缺陷和强粘附的Pd膜。所提出的扩散阻挡层可以提供实际可行的Pd基氢分离装置，其可以有益于燃料电池和工业氢应用，以及温室气体减少。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on the development of an innovative diffusion barrier for the preparation of Pd thin film on tubular porous stainless steel substrate. A thin Pd film supported on tubular porous SS substrate provides a commercially viable avenue for the use of palladium membranes for hydrogen production/recovery, particularly for large-scale applications. A micro-engineered diffusion barrier is proposed, which is able conceptually to accommodate the physical change of metal substrate surface, thermal mismatch, and other factors. More importantly this diffusion barrier offers flexibility in tailoring its pore size and surface topography to be optimal for the formation of an ultra-thin, defect free, and strongly adhered Pd film via electroless plating. The proposed diffusion barrier could offer a practically viable Pd-based hydrogen separation device, which can benefit fuel cell and industrial hydrogen applications, and greenhouse gas reduction.