Effect of Peanut Shell Powder as a Pore‐Forming Additive in the Production of Ceramic Membranes

In this study, ceramic membranes were produced from compositions containing natural raw materials (clay and talc), alumina, and peanut shell powder (PSP) as a pore‐forming additive. The disc‐shaped ceramic membranes were fabricated by uniaxial pressing and sintered at 1100, 1150, and 1200°C. The sintered samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), porosity, density, mechanical strength, mercury porosimetry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Distilled water flux tests were conducted in a tangential flow system to evaluate the permeability of the ceramic membranes. The X‐ray diffraction results indicated the presence of sapphirine and cordierite. It was found that the incorporation of PSP up to 30 wt.% promoted an increase in the porosity, pore size, and permeability of the membranes. The membranes with 20 wt.% and 30 wt.% of PSP sintered at 1150°C were highlighted in this study. These membranes were observed porosity of 40% and 49%, similar pore sizes of 6.2 µm, and flexural strength values of 22 and 17 MPa, respectively. Moreover, tests with distilled water conducted at 0.5 bar showed fluxes of 2791 and 2316 L·h −1 ·m −2 , respectively. The results suggest the use of these membranes in effluent treatment.