Catalysis with homogeneous membranes loaded with nanoscale metallic clusters and their preparation

Catalytically powerful, non-porous membranes were manufactured from two highly gas permeable poly(amide imides) consisting of structures with moieties of 3,3'-dimethylnaphthidine and hexafluoroisopropylidene (6F) or hexafluoroisopropylidene 2,2-bis(phthalic acid anhydride) (6FDA) and 6F. The catalysts are pure precious metals or precious metal alloys dispersed on a nanoscale uniformly throughout the membrane. The membranes are characterized by electron microscopy, gas permeability, hydrogen uptake and, as a model reaction, the decomposition of nitrous oxide by hydrogen to nitrogen and water catalyzed by Pd/Ag. The permeance to hydrogen and nitrous oxide is round 2–10^-6 cm³ (STP) /cm²·s·cmHg for membranes of 40–50μm in thickness.