Preparation of multilayer polyelectrolyte ceramic membrane for water disinfection

Abstract

A multilayer polyelectrolyte ceramic membrane using LbL was assembled to test the performance of water disinfection capability. The natural raw clay material (kaolin) was used as the main ceramic membrane (CM) support. The impact of the number of polyelectrolyte bilayers (2, 4, 6) on the retention of Escherichia coli was systematically investigated. Test results showed the water permeability coefficients (Lp) were 85.3 L/m2.h.bar and 69.5, 28.3, 50.1 L/m2.h.bar for pristine (CM0) and ceramic membranes with two bilayers (CM2), four bilayers (CM4), and six bilayers (CM6), respectively. Complete retention of E. coli was achieved by the multilayer polyelectrolyte ceramic membrane with four bilayers. The surface morphology of the multilayer polyelectrolyte ceramic membrane was identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the multilayer polyelectrolyte ceramic membrane can be safely applied in providing water disinfection.