Résumé
Hydrophilic modification of the commercial ceramic microfiltration membranes is processed by the nano-TiO2 coating. The nano-coating does not form a separation layer but increases the hydrophilic character of membrane surface. The modified microfiltration membranes are used to treat stable oil-in-water emulsions. The results show that the ceramic membrane modified by 2mol/L Ti(SO4)2 solution is the more suitable in the MF process. Under the following operation conditions: cross-flow velocity of 5m/s, trans-membrane pressure of 0.16MPa, feed temperature of 40°C, the modified membrane has the better stable flux, which is higher than that of the unmodified one. The oil concentration of the filtrate is no more than 10mg/L if the oil concentration of the feed is not higher than 4g/L due to the existence of the hydrophilic nano-TiO2 coating, indicating the modified ceramic microfiltration membrane can be directly applied in the treatment of a stable oil–water emulsion.
•Hydrophilic modification of ceramic membrane is processed by nano-TiO2 coating prepared by the in-situ precipitation method.•Nano-TiO2 coating does not form a new separation layer but increases the hydrophilic character of membrane surface.•The performance of the modified membrane is higher than that of the unmodified membrane.•The operational parameters of the modified membrane to treat oil-in-water emulsion are optimized.