Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Advanced membrane Technology Research Centre, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Malaysia
2
Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, MALAYSIA.
3
Department of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak
4
Advanced Membrane Technology Center (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
5
Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
6
Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Abstract
The use of low-cost clay materials for the fabrication of ceramic membrane has attracted much interest from researchers, and the outcome would be beneficial to the industries. In this study, low-cost bentonite was used for the preparation of hollow fiber ceramic (HFC) membrane. Bentonite powder was initially characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) for powder surface morphology. The bentonite membrane was fabricated through dope suspension mixing, using phase inversion-based extrusion method and sintering processes. The dope suspension was prepared by mixing quantified bentonite powder, dispersant, polymer binder, and organic solvent on a planetary ball mill. This was followed by the extrusion of the dope suspension at a bore fluid rate of 10 mL/min and air gap of 5 cm and finally subjected to the sintering temperatures of 950° C, 1000° C, 1050° C, and 1100° C. FESEM images revealed that bentonite powder has a compacted interlayer order of heterogeneous surface morphology. The resulting bentonite HFC membrane surface morphologies were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the structures exhibit asymmetric structure, which was composed of sponge-like and finger-like structures. Due to, its superhydrophilic property and pore size; the membrane contact angle and water flux performance were obtained at 1.90° and ~326 L/m2 .h, respectively. Overall, the results suggest that bentonite can be used in the fabrication of ceramic-based hollow fiber membrane and in addition, can as well be utilized in microfiltration for wastewater treatment.
Graphical Abstract
Highlights
• Fabrication of HF membrane from bentonite
• Membrane was successfully prepared via phase inversion/sintering processes
• Pure water flux increased with decreased in sintering temperatures
• Bentonite HF membrane is a promising membrane for oily wastewater
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