Preparation and characterization of novel ceramic membranes for micro-filtration applications

Porous microfiltration range ceramic membranes were prepared using kaolin and other suitable materials like feldspar, quartz, boric acid, activated carbon, sodium metasilicate and titanium dioxide following standard paste casting route. The membranes were tasted as circular disks of 40 mm ID and 5 mm thickness. They were characterized using thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), particle size distribution (PSD), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) to evaluate the effect of maximum sintering temperature on the structure, porosity and mechanical integrity. The prepared membranes were initially dried at 120 degrees C and 250 degrees C for 24 h each and finally sintered at 850 degrees C, 900 degrees C and 950 degrees C for 6 h. Morphological parameters viz. pore size distribution, porosity, average pore size of the prepared membranes were determined and the membrane performance were evaluated by carrying out the permeation experiment with pure water. Results show that the average pore size of the membranes increases from 1.59 um to 2.56 um and porosity of the membrane supports decreases from 18.88% to 5.59% with increase in sintering temperature from 850 degrees C to 950 degrees C. The membrane corrosion resistance was also tested using acid and base and it is observed that there is no significant weight loss in the process. Based on market price of the inorganic precursors, the membrane cost was estimated to be $92/m(2) which can be considered low cost in the microfiltration range for industrial applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.