Synthesis and characterization of α-Alumina membrane supports and the binding effect of Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)

Ceramic Ultrafiltration membranes are considered as an alternative for the treatment of both stable water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions proved to be more effective in comparison with other conventional techniques. In this study, symmetric macro-porous ceramic membranes are prepared through dry pressing of α-alumina powder and the addition of various binders including Poly (vinyl alcohol). The disk is sintered after the organic material is burned away and the porosity can also be adjusted by the variation of sintering temperature. The results show that the fabrication of compact membrane supports can be done by increasing the sintering temperature which leads to grain size reduction. Moreover, application of different binders and additives result in various supports possessing different pore size and size distributions. Scanning electron Microscope (SEM) micrographs illustrate the surface and grain size distributions caused by various binders. These membranes can be used for microfiltration at elevated temperatures and extreme environmental conditions and also as porous supports for the fabrication of composite-asymmetric nanofiltration membranes.