Preparation and characterization of sintered clay ceramic membranes water filters

Abstract

Metal oxide ceramic is getting more attention in current times due to their unique pore structures, hydrophilic surfaces, high chemical, thermal and mechanical stabilities which offer avenues for application in water treatment. This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the effects of different ratios of clay, grog, sawdust and bone char on efficiency of ceramic composite water filters. Filter of different designs were developed from clay (50, 60, 70, 75 and 80) |%|, sawdust (15, 25, and 35) |%|, grog (5 and 15) |%| bone char and 5|%| ratios by volume and sintered at temperature of 900°C for 6 hours. The Phase and functional group identification of sintered filter investigated with x-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of mixed phase and hydroxyl functional group on the surface of sintered filter. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed the porous nature of the microstructures of the sintered filter elements. The superior ceramic water filter design (C900-50-15-35) with total porosity 35.89±0.04|%|, flow rate 2.05±0.41|%| and the percent E coli, nitrite and fluoride removal efficiency: 99.6±0.40 |%|, 81.17±0.22|%| and 96.4±0.42|%| were obtained from this work. Porosity evaluated by BET study for C900-50-15-35 demonstrated an average pore size and surface area of 5 |nm | and 7.30|m²/g|, respectively.