Functionalization and Deconvolution of Tubular Ceramic Support Membrane Prepare from High Silica Spent Bleaching Earth by Centrifugal Casting

Spent Bleaching Earth (SBE) is a solid waste produced from the palm cooking oil refining industry. The commercial ceramic membranes are quite pricey, therefore SBE solid waste is possible to be an alternative for reduction of membrane material cost due to high silica content. This work demonstrates the fabrication of ceramic tubular support membrane with varied SBE addition and investigates the functionalization group of its membranes. The ceramic support membrane was prepared from regeneration SBE with varied loading composition 15 and 35 wt%. The regeneration SBE using n-Hexane as solvent. Membranes were casted into tubular configuration using centrifugal casting technique at 3000 rpm. The tubular ceramic SBE membranes were dried and followed by calcined at 900°C with heating rate 2°C/min using programable furnace for 2 h. Both of raw SBE material and membranes were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The SBE material after regenerated exhibits has high Si-OH and Si-O-Si peaks over raw material. Interestingly, the fabrication ceramic support membrane with tubular configuration is successfully preparation by centrifugal casting. Ceramic SBE membrane exhibits functionalization and deconvolution the present of siloxane, Al-OH-Al, Ti-O-Ti, and Al-O bands for both of 15 and 35wt% SBE loading. It concluded this tubular ceramic support membrane from SBE has appropriated chemical functionalize properties to applicates as membrane separation.