Preparation of Ultrafiltration Ceramic Membrane Using Silica Nanopowder

Authors

Boudjemaa Ghouil
Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Jijel, 18000 Jijel, Algeria.
Ferhat Bouzerara
Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Exact Sciences, University of Jijel
Mustafa M. Demir
Izmir Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry, 35430 Gülbahçe, Urla, Izmir, Turkey
Alberto Figoli
Institute on Membrane Technology, ITM-CNR, via P. Bucci, cubo 17/C, 87030 Rende, CS, Italy

Synopsis

In this work, silica nanopowder was used as starting material for the preparation of an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane. The choice of these materials was based on their favorable physical properties, high thermal and chemical stability. Additionally, the silica membrane was prepared on a multilayers ceramic support (macro-porous support and interlayers) using a slip casting method from the silica powder suspension. After that, this membrane was dried at room temperature and then it was sintered at 450 °C. The resulting silica membrane showed good structural properties, with a thickness of ≈15 μm and an average pore size (APS) of about 30 nm. Furthermore, the membrane was tested for various applications, revealing a water permeability value of approximately 450 l/(h.m2.bar), a high dextran retention rate (75%) and effective removal of heavy metals (approximately 92%). Finally, we can conclude that those significant properties enable the use of this membrane for water treatment and in the field of ultrafiltration.

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Published
December 9, 2024