A New Type Hydrogen Permeable Membrane and Application for H 2 O 2 Synthesis

Development of a hydrogen permeable membrane reactor in chemical process has been desired because of a great reduction of energy consumption. Previous studies were limited to Pd membranes. A new type of hydrogen permeable membrane layered three sheets (a reduction‐Pt‐catalyst sheet | a proton and electron co‐conductive sheet | an oxidation‐Pt‐catalyst sheet) was developed. The middle sheet was prepared by casting a paste of carbon powder and Nafion solution. When a gas mixture of H 2 and He (1:1) was introduced to the oxidation‐catalyst compartment at 298 K, a high concentration of H 2 was observed in the reduction‐catalyst compartment, a maximum H 2 /He ratio as 217. H 2 selectively permeated through the membrane. This concept was applied for synthesis of H 2 O 2 . When O 2 and H 2 were respectively introduced to the Co‐N−C reduction‐catalyst and the Pt oxidation‐catalyst, production of a pure H 2 O 2 aqueous solution of 3.8 mol dm −3 was succeeded with a good selectivity as 42 % based on H 2 at 278 K.