The combination of equilibrium and dynamic methods for the detailed structural characterisation of ceramic membranes

• Published in: Journal of the European Ceramic Society Vol. 18; no. 11; pp. 1545 - 1558
• Main Authors: Mitropoulos, A.Ch, Beltsios, K., Steriotis, Th.A., Katsaros, F.K., Makri, P., Kanellopoulos, N.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.01.1998; Elsevier
• Subjects: Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Membranes; Porous membrane; Coupled method; Pore structure; Small angle scattering; Porous glass; Permeability; Experimental study; Carbon; Silica; Oxide ceramics; Composite material; Dynamic method; Characterization; Adsorption; Morphology; Asymmetric membrane; Vycor; Equilibrium method; Alumina
• ISSN: 0955-2219; 1873-619X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0955-2219(98)00074-0

The combination of equilibrium and dynamic techniques provides powerful tools for the characterisation of the porous structure of ceramic membranes. We present the type of information obtainable by the permeability, adsorption and small angle scattering (SAS) methods and important combinations of them. Subsequently, we apply selected combinations of the above methods to three characteristic ceramic membrane materials: (a) a mesoporous alumina produced by symmetric compaction, (b) a Vycor®-type mesoporous silica, and (c) an asymmetric carbon membrane with a microporous gas-separating layer. Important conclusions are drawn regarding the pore and internal surface morphology of the studied membranes.