Equilibrium shift, poisoning prevention, and selectivity enhancement in catalysis via dehydration of polymeric membranes

Generation of water as a byproduct often suppresses yields and stability in catalytic reactions. Existing strategies for water removal—sorbents, inorganic membranes, and sacrificial dehydration reactions—face limitations in selectivity, stability, and process complexity, especially at elevated temperatures. Here, a thermally rearranged poly-benzoxazole (TR-PBO) hollow fiber membrane is introduced that maintains high H2O permselectivity and stability up to 400–440 °C. Integrated into a membrane reactor, this polymeric membrane selectively removes water in situ to address equilibrium limits, catalyst deactivation, and water-driven side reactions. Demonstrated across reverse water-gas shift (RWGS), methane combustion, and Fischer–Tropsch olefin (FTO) synthesis, the TR-PBO membrane enables equilibrium shift toward products, prevents Pd-catalyst poisoning, and suppresses WGS side reactions, thereby improving yields and long-term operation in high-temperature processes.

Myeong-Hun Hyeon, Hae-Gu Park, Jongmyeong Lee, Chang-In Kong, Eun-Young Kim, Jong Hak Kim, Su-Young Moon, Seok Ki Kim