CTS-9502437 Y. S. Lin CAREER Mixed-conducting ceramic membranes containing copper-doped yttria-stabilized bismuth oxides will be synthesized and characterized. These membranes have high intrinsic permeability for oxygen and excellent catalytic properties for oxidative coupling of methane. Thin and ultrathin membranes will be prepared by suspension/slipcasting chemical vapor deposition and magnetron sputter deposition techniques, respectively. Oxygen permeation will be investigated for different thickness and compositions of membranes. Also, a new type of membrane reactor will be developed for the oxidative coupling of methane. There is potential for the development of energy efficient and environmentally benign processes for simultaneous separation and reaction using membranes. The educational plan involves the incorporation of materials science courses in chemical engineering curricula. New courses will be developed for training both undergraduate and graduate students in advanced materials.
