Fabrication and characterization of a cost-effective ceramic microfiltration membrane by utilizing local raw materials

In this study, we reported the preparation of a cylindrical ceramic membrane (diameter of 8 cm and length of 10 cm) by the slip-casting method from clay, kaolin, starch, and palm kernel shell ash. The membrane was obtained by sintering the fabricated membrane filter at 900 °C for 5 h. The membrane was characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, porosity, and water absorption. The average pore size, apparent porosity, and water absorption of the membrane were obtained as 6.60 μm, 60%, and 37.8%, respectively, along with density, flow rate, and thickness. The prepared membrane showed excellent chemical resistance. The overall fabrication cost of the membrane was estimated at $73. These results indicate that the raw materials used in this work could serve as alternatives to microfiltration membranes for various chemical and biochemical processes.