A MICROPOROUS ZIRCONIA MEMBRANE PREPARED BY THE SOL-GEL PROCESS FROM ZIRCONYL OXALATE

We have prepared a zirconia membrane by the sol-gel process, that is potentially active in the low-ultrafiltration or high-nanofiltration range. The precursor is a dried gel available as a powder, which leads to a sol when added to water. Coatings of tubular ceramic supports by slip-casting have been successfully performed. Characterization was made by scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and filtration of dextran. This zirconia membrane has pores of similar to 4 nm diameter and also retention properties for dextran molecules of molecular weight higher than 10,000 daltons.