Fabrication of alumina ceramic membrane supports using LCD 3D printing and titania nanoparticle doping

The integration of 3D printing technology into the production of ceramic membranes has garnered significant interest. Nonetheless, challenges persist in fabricating macroporous supports with both high porosity and strength through 3D printing. In this study, titania nanoparticles were introduced to facilitate the fusion of alumina nanoparticles. This freed the pores occupied by alumina nanoparticles and enhanced the connections between micron-sized alumina particles. Consequently, both the permeability and strength of the ceramic membrane supports were improved. The impact of ceramic slurry composition on photocuring performance, sintering processes, and the addition of titania nanoparticles on the microstructure and properties of the porous ceramic membrane support were investigated. The optimized membrane support featured a pore size of approximately 1.36 µm, achieving a porosity of 42.4% and a pure water permeance of 3700 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹·bar⁻¹. These findings provide a fundamental groundwork for subsequent endeavors in the development of high-performance ceramic membranes.