Yttria Stabilized Zirconia Hollow Fiber Membranes

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) hollow fiber membranes have been developed by a combined phase inversion and sintering method. An organic binder solution (dope) containing suspended YSZ particles is spun to form a hollow fiber precursor, which is then sintered at elevated temperatures. The prepared hollow fibers have the asymmetric structure including the sponge-like structures at center, sandwiched by the long finger-like structures located at the outer and inner walls of the fibers. Experimental results indicate that by controlling the YSZ/polymer weight ratio at 9 or 10 and sintered at a temperature of 1590°C or 1550°C for 10 h, respectively, gas-tight asymmetric YSZ hollow fiber membranes with high mechanical strength can be obtained.