Using pyridine as template, polycrystalline Na-ferrierite membrane with thickness of about 30 mu m was prepared successfully on macroporous alpha-Al2O3 support in a short crystallization time by conventional and vacuum-assisted secondary growth. The effects of synthesis parameters such as template, alkalinity and dilution were investigated. The characterization and properties of Na-ferrierite membrane prepared using parent gel with molar composition of 1Al(2)O(3):60SiO(2):6Na(2)O:1835H(2)O:64C(5)H(5)N were detected. The three-stage synthesized Na-ferrierite membrane had the best properties with the single-gas permeances of H-2 > CH4 > O-2 > N-2 > CO2 > C3H8 > SF6. The separation properties of Na-ferrierite membrane were evaluated by benzene/p-xylene pervaporation test. With increasing the benzene feed concentration, the fluxes of benzene and p-xylene increased and decreased, respectively, and the separation factor decreased firstly and increased afterward. Furthermore, the formation mechanism of the compact Na-ferrierite membrane was proposed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.