Eco-Friendly Ceramic Membranes from Natural Clay and Almond Shell Waste for the Removal of Dyes and Drugs from Wastewater
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of sintering temperature (850–950 °C) and almond shell content (2–10 wt.%) on the structural, mechanical, and functional properties of natural-clay-based ceramic membranes. Several membranes were prepared by incorporating different proportions of almond shell powder and 2 wt.% lime as additives and sintered under controlled thermal conditions to optimize their performance. The results demonstrate that both sintering temperature and almond shell content significantly affect membrane porosity, mechanical strength, and water permeability. Among all of the tested samples, the membrane designated MP2-900, composed of natural clay, 2 wt.% almond shell powder, and 2 wt.% lime, sintered at 900 °C, exhibited the most balanced performance. It showed high mechanical strength (≈28 MPa), low shrinkage (
Fields of Study & Subjects
Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal
Membrane Separation Technologies
Extraction and Separation Processes
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Membranes
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 52–52
- Publication date
- 27 January 2026
- Language
- EN