Study on synthesis and characterization of pyrolytic char doped ceramic membrane and its application on chromium removal from wastewater

Abstract

Ceramic membranes have become increasingly popular in wastewater treatment (WWT) due to their cost-effectiveness and high productivity. Despite numerous studies on membrane applications in WWT, there remains a lack of comprehensive analysis regarding their performance, efficiency, and critical factors. This investigation seeks to assess the efficacy of a pyrolytic char-doped ceramic membrane in chromium remediation. Modifying the surface charge and enhancing hydrophilicity in ceramic membranes may play a crucial role in achieving effective separation at a lower cost. Kaolin, renowned for its cost-effectiveness and effectiveness, stands out as a prominent raw material for ceramic membrane fabrication. In this study, char derived from the pyrolysis of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles was introduced into the kaolin matrix to examine its impact on surface charge and hydrophilicity. The concept behind this reutilization of the pyrolytic char in ceramic membrane modification attributes to the waste recycle toward regeneration of value-added product. In this study the percentage doping of the char with ceramic membrane was enumerated with the separation of chromium from wastewater as alternative to complex micellar enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF). The membrane was fabricated using the dry-press method. The investigation aimed to analyze the effect of doping on three key membrane properties: average pore size, hydraulic flux, and surface charge. Permeate collection, streaming potential measurement, and contact angle analysis were conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of the separation efficacy, surface charge, and hydrophilicity of the prepared membrane. Char doped membrane showed better hydrophilicity with a chromate rejection of around 60% from solution.