Ultrafast Synthesis of Silica-Based Molecular Sieve Membranes in Dielectric Barrier Discharge at Low Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure.

Microporous silica membranes have shown promise as potential candidates for energy-efficient chemical separation. Herein, we report the ultrafast synthesis of silica membranes, on the order of minutes, in atmospheric-pressure, low-temperature plasma. Direct deposition in the discharge region of atmospheric-pressure plasma enables the immediate formation of a thin silica layer on a porous substrate.