Fabrication and characterization of porous ceramic composite membrane for water and wastewater treatment

Ceramic based composite has attracted remarkable interest due to its pore structure that enables pollutants removal from water and wastewater treatment including inherent thermal and chemical stability. Detailed studies towards the improvement of pore networks of ceramic composites in terms of cost effective fabrication and characterization techniques for water and wastewater treatment is the focus of this study. This review introduces different forms of ceramic composites including alumina, mineral based ceramic composites, silica derived ceramic composites, titanium ceramic composites, zirconia, zeolite and oyster shell based composites for improved application for water and wastewater treatment. Fabrication methods which includes pore-forming agent technique, vacuum impregnation process and 3D gel printing have shown ample viability for the development of highly robust porous ceramic composite membranes with tailored porosity. The removal of organic and inorganic pollutants from water and wastewater was attributed to improved pore structure of ceramic composites. The high stability, durability and low fouling including high flux exhibited by ceramic composites indicated its prospects for water and wastewater treatment. The article reviews the synthesis of ceramic based composites and their functional properties with the aim of providing literature support for future applications.