The effect of pore former addition and sintering temperature on the characteristic of ceramic membrane

Multichannel ceramic membrane for microfiltration was fabricated by the extrusion method. Two types of pore formers, starch and polyvinyl alcohol (PYA), were added as a pore former. Ceramic membrane drying must be controlled to avoid cracking and deformation by rotating the product at 18 rpm for 96 hours. The ceramic membranes were sintered at 1300°C and 1350°C and resulted in an apparent porosity ranging from 29% to 34% and density varying from 1.76 g/cm3 to 1.9 g/cm3. The effect of pore former addition on the physical properties of ceramic membranes was evaluated. The pore structure of ceramic membranes was also observed by SEM. During the extrusion process, the ceramic membrane with PYA addition had a better extrudability as indicated by the reduction of cracks and deformation of green product. However, the use of PYA and starch did not affect significantly to the structure of the ceramic membrane after the sintering process. The increase of sintering temperature was accompanied by a decrease of porosity while more vitreous phases were formed. Membrane synthesized at 1350°C presented a lower porosity and more vitreous phase that should be suitable for the microfiltration process.