Processing and characterization of titania ultrafiltration ceramic membrane: response surface methodology optimization

In the present study, the effect of titania sol concentration, hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HEC), and sintering temperature of Titanium ultrafiltration membrane elaboration were evaluated using Box-Behnken and investigated by pores diameter. The titania ultrafiltration membrane has been prepared by the sol gel technique. A deflocculated suspension of titania was obtained by mixing 20 mL of titania sol (0.5-1 mol/L) and 10 g of HEC (2%-5% w/w aqueous solution) as binder. The titania layer was deposited on the inner surface of clay support by slip casting with a contact time (15 min). After drying at room temperature, the TiO2 membrane was sintered (300 degrees C-600 degrees C) for 2 h. The optimal factors to elaborate the TiO2 membrane with pores diameter of 5 nm by using Box-Behnken design include a sintering temperature of 600 degrees C, TiO2 sol concentration of 0.5 mol/L and 2% of HEC. The interaction between the factors were relatively less important.