Statistical optimization of the elaboration of ceramic membrane support using Plackett-Burman and response surface methodology

The effect of Sintering temperature (ST), Particle size (PS), Starch content (SC) and Heating rate (HR) of the Ceramic Support Membrane Elaboration based on wet clay were evaluated using Plackett-Burman Design (PBD) and investigated by porosity and mechanical strength measures. Response Surface Methodology based on Central Composite design (CCD) was used for further optimization. The supports have been prepared from a clay with a two fraction 2 and 30 mm and a starch to enhance the performance of the support. The supports sintered between 900 degrees C and 1200 degrees C with a different heating rate (1 degrees C/min and 10 degrees C/min). By using PBD, it was found that the sintering temperature (ST) and starch content (SC) are the main controlling factors of the physical properties of ceramic support membrane. The increase of ST had a positive effect on Mechanical strength and negative effect on porosity, on other hand the increase of SC had a positive effect on porosity and negative effect on Mechanical Strength. The optimal factors to elaborate the membrane support by using CCD include a sintering temperature of 1014.36 degrees C and starch content of 4% predicting the porosity of 38.79% and Mechanical strength of 12 MPa. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Network of Biomaterials and Engineering Science.