Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to methods and apparatus for simultaneous generation and separation processes. The apparatus provides a membrane module including a substrate, a catalytic layer and a membrane layer. The catalytic layer includes nano-sized sulfur-tolerant catalysts and/or particles. As a result, the apparatus can operate in sulfur-free and sulfur-laden (sour gas) environments for water gas shift (WGS) reactions while maintaining high reaction conversion. Methods for forming catalytic films are also disclosed herein. In one embodiment, methods of forming lanthanide containing oxysulfate nanocatalysts are provided.