High-Performance γ-AlO Multichannel Tube-Type Tight Ultrafiltration Membrane Using a Modified Sol-Gel Method.

We introduced a modified sol-gel method using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as an additive to improve the permeability of γ-AlO membranes by minimizing the thickness of the selective layer and maximizing the porosity. First, the analysis revealed that the thickness of γ-AlO decreased as the concentration of PVA increased in the boehmite sol. Second, the properties of the γ-AlO mesoporous membranes were greatly influenced by the modified route (method B) compared to the conventional route (method A).

Effect of the Peptization Process and Thermal Treatment on the Sol-Gel Preparation of Mesoporous α-Alumina Membranes.

Compared to traditional membrane materials, alumina membranes are particularly beneficial for industrial wastewater treatment. However, the development of mesoporous α-alumina membranes for ultrafiltration applications is still a challenge due to uncontrolled pore size. In this study, we optimized the sol-gel method for the fabrication of a high-performance mesoporous α-alumina membrane.

Development of TiO-coated YSZ/silica nanofiber membranes with excellent photocatalytic degradation ability for water purification.

Numerous reports have elucidated that TiO nanoparticles (TiO-NPs) exhibit respectable photocatalytic degradation capacities due to their high specific surface areas. However, the current recovery process leads to a loss of TiO-NPs; therefore, there is a need to immobilize TiO-NPs on the substrate used. Herein, TiO-coated yttria-stabilized zirconia/silica nanofiber (TiO-coated YSZ/silica NF) was prepared by coating TiO on the surface of YSZ/silica NF using a sol-gel process.