Thin palladium membranes were fabricated on macroporous alpha-Al2O3 tubes by electroless plating. The silicalite-1 (Sil-1) zeolite serving as intermediate and diffusion barrier layer was introduced to modify the surface roughness and pore size of the porous substrate and prevent the atomic interdiffusions of the metal elements between Pd layer and the support. The Pd composite membranes were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), revealing that morphology and structure of the Sil-1 layer significantly influence the Pd membrane preparation. Single-gas permeation tests were carried out with gas H-2 and N-2 to determine the permeation performance of the membranes. The resulting membrane exhibited long-term stability under hydrogen permeation.