A preparation method for the highly permeable ceramic microfiltration membrane - precursor film firing method

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Membrane Technology

Background:

• Traditional ceramic microfiltration membrane fabrication often involves complex intermediate layers and dip-coating processes.
• These conventional methods can limit permeance and control over the separation layer thickness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a new precursor film firing method for fabricating ceramic microfiltration membranes.
• To enhance membrane permeance and achieve efficient control over separation layer thickness.

Main Methods:

• A precursor film, comprising Al2O3/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layers, was prepared independently using a film coating machine.
• The precursor film was then pasted onto a support and fired to form the ceramic membrane, bypassing intermediate layers and dip-coating.

Main Results:

• The fabricated membranes demonstrated significantly improved permeance, reaching 3890 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ for a membrane with an average pore size of 0.18 μm and a separation layer thickness of 10.7 μm.
• The method allowed for efficient control of the separation layer thickness.
• The precursor film firing method proved adaptable for fabricating curved membranes, such as cylindrical ones.

Conclusions:

• The precursor film firing method offers a streamlined approach to ceramic microfiltration membrane fabrication.
• This technique effectively enhances membrane permeance and provides precise control over critical structural parameters.
• The method's versatility extends to the production of complex membrane geometries.