Influence of Sintering Temperature on the Properties of Porous Ceramic Support Prepared by Uniaxial Dry Compaction Method Using Low-Cost Raw Materials for Membrane Applications

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Abstract
In this article, we have reported the fabrication of stable macroporous ceramic support using low-cost inorganic raw materials by uniaxial dry compaction technique. The supports were prepared by mixing of inexpensive raw materials such as kaolin, quartz, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, boric acid, sodium metasilicate, and polyvinyl alcohol as a binder. The prepared green supports were sintered at different temperatures ranging between 900 and 1000°C. The raw materials and the sintered supports were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, particle size distribution (PSD), X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The influence of sintering temperature on the membrane structure, porosity, flexural strength, chemical stability, and the pure water permeability was also examined. It was observed that the average pore size and the flexural strength of the sintered supports increase with an increase in the sintering temperature. The porosity of the sintered supports was obtained in the ranges between 22 and 40%. The chemical stability of the sintered supports was found to be good. Based on the results obtained, the support sintered at 950°C (porosity of 30%, mechanical strength of 28 MPa, and average pore size of 3.45 µm) was considered as the optimum support for membrane applications. The ceramic support cost was estimated to be $67/m2 according to the raw material price. Henceforth, these low-cost membrane supports with better properties could be suggested for cheaper application in chemical and biochemical processes.

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