Performance assessment of MCM-48 ceramic composite membrane by separation of AlCl₃ from aqueous solution

Three dimensional ordered mesoporous MCM-48 membrane was fabricated on a circular shaped ceramic support by in-situ hydrothermal method. The synthesized MCM-48 powder and MCM-48 ceramic composite membrane were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The porosity and pore size of the composite membrane are reduced considerably by the deposition of MCM-48 on the support. The formation of MCM-48 is verified by the XRD analysis. Three stepwise mechanisms for surfactant removal are observed by TGA analysis. FESEM images clearly signify the deposition of MCM-48 on the ceramic support. The pure water flux of the support and MCM-48 composite membrane is found to be 3.63×10^-6 and 4.18×10^-8m³/m²skPa, respectively. The above prepared MCM-48 ceramic composite membrane is employed for the removal of AlCl₃ from aqueous solution and the highest rejection of 81% is obtained at an applied pressure of 276kPa with salt concentration of 250ppm.