CORROSION PROPERTIES OF 70 SIO2-15TIO2-15ZRO2 CERAMIC MEMBRANE

Ceramic membrane Corrosion Chemical stability SiO2 membrane The 70SiO2-15TiO2-15ZrO2 membrane was prepared by a sol-gel procedure. Corrosion behavior of the microporous top layer along with the membrane characterization in terms of pore size, surface area, pore volume and weight loss are described. The final ceramic membrane with a thickness of 400 nm and uniform surface was obtained. This membrane confirmed the fine microporous characteristic with mean pore size < 2 nm. After corrosion test, the corroded membrane revealed a surface with non-uniform coverage of the top layer. The heated ceramic membrane was amorphous before and after corrosion test. Dissolution of ions increased in acid and basic solutions. The weight loss of samples increased when pH increased at 25 °C. Porosity of samples increased after the corrosion test. The pore size increased as compared to that of the original membrane. Surface area of the membrane increased in basic solution, but decreased in acid solution.