Comparative environmental impact analysis of Pd element substitution in metallic membranes for hydrogen separation

The study aimed to compare the environmental impacts of thinfilm- based metallic Pd membranes, partially substituted by V, Cu, or Ag. More precisely, Pd77Ag23, and V93Pd7 thin film membranes for hydrogen separation were compared by a Life Cycle Assessment analysis with pure-Pd films and Cu46Pd54. The results showed as the partial V substitution of Pd can efficiently lead to a decrease of the environmental impacts of the membrane composition (62% with respect to the whole impact of pure-Pd membrane), providing useful insights of the environmental sustainability of critical raw materials employed in this peculiar technology field.