Synthesis and characterization of porous inorganic membranes exhibiting superconducting properties

For using as separative membranes based on magnetic selectivity, superconducting asymmetric porous membranes of YBCO and BSCCO were prepared by wet chemistry routes. In order to avoid problems of reactions between superconducting films and support materials, superconducting YBCO and BSCCO themselves were finally used as porous supports. Low-temperature O2–N2 adsorption measurements were carried out on superconducting powders to evidence the magnetic interactions in static conditions. Gas permeation and separation experiments were performed at 77 K with the superconducting membranes, using O2/N2 mixture of air composition. The prepared membranes did not show a significant selectivity effect. Simultaneous high superconductivity and microporosity, which are required on the basis of theoretical considerations, were not obtained. It was finally concluded that it will be difficult to reach in the future high selectivity values required for valuable technological applications.