Abstract
In the first part of this thesis, the preparation of Pd nanoparticles is discussed. Various Pd complexes were obtained by adjusting pH value and Cl- concentration of reactants mixtures, and using PdCl2 as Pd metal precursor. The Pd species were either capped by the micelles of surfactant, then reduced to Pd metal of small particle size, or reduced before capped by micelles of surfactants to produce Pd metal nanoparticles of large size. The solutions of PdCl42- complex in various surfactants was mixed with N2H4(aq) to produce Pd nanoparticles of size 8-13 nm.In the second part, Pd nanoparticles were applied on the activation of electroless plating to produce Pd membrane instead of SnCl2/PdCl2 solution. The resulting Pd/PSS composite filters (<10 μm in thickness) has a high hydrogen flux (0.1 mol/m2□s) at the pressure difference of 20 psi, and the H2/N2 selectivity of above 7500 at 350oC. This Pd membrane would have high potential for the application on the purification of hydrogen.