Silicalite-1(S-1) and ZSM-5 membranes prepared by secondary growth on tubular ceramic supports were tested using a pervaporation set up for the desalination of aqueous solutions containing NaCl in concentrations corresponding to brackish (0.3-1 wt%), sea (3.5 wt%) and brine (7.5-15 wt%) water. ZSM-5 membranes delivered higher water fluxes when compared with S-1 membranes due to enhanced hydrophilicity of the Al-rich zeolite structure leading to fluxes as high as 11.5 kg m(-2) h(-1) for 0.3 wt% NaCl feed solutions at 75 degrees C. At higher salt concentration the water flux decreased alongside with the salt rejection rate, however the hydrophilic ZMS-5 membrane became more susceptible to performance loss, particularly at high temperatures. Detailed stability experiments carried out for up to 560 h showed the dissolution of both S-1 and ZSM-5 top layers. This was attributed to the combined effects of ion exchange and water dissolution mechanisms. Interesting though, the MFI structure zeolite was still observed on the XRD patterns whilst EDX depth profile showed the presence of silica up to 30 mu m depth into the support. These results suggest the formation/infiltration of a compact amorphous phase in the substrate, derived from the aggregation of the dissolved silicate species and possibly together with the arrangement of MFI nano-slabs during the desalination tests. Despite generating lower water fluxes, the S-1 membrane exhibited relatively high robustness under the long term testing conditions which included temperature cycling, delivering salt rejections from initial >99% to <80% at the end of the testing period (560 h). (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.