Elaboration and characterization of a low-cost porous ceramic support from natural Tunisian bentonite clay

Ceramic supports from bentonite have become a hot research topic because of their low cost and abundance in many countries. This article describes the development and the characterization of a microfiltration support elaborated using an extrusion method followed by sintering at different temperatures (950, 1000, and 1100 °C). X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and differential thermal analysis were used for the characterization of the raw material. The resulting support was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, mechanical and chemical resistance, and water permeability. Each tube was 150 mm in length, with an external diameter of 8 mm and an internal diameter of 5 mm.