A MICROPOROUS ZIRCONIA MEMBRANE PREPARED BY THE SOL-GEL PROCESS FROM ZIRCONYL OXALATE

We have prepared a zirconia membrane by the sol-gel process, that is p otentially active in the low-ultrafiltration or high-nanofiltration ra nge. The precursor is a dried gel available as a powder, which leads t o a sol when added to water. Coatings of tubular ceramic supports by s lip-casting have been successfully performed. Characterization was mad e by scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and filtration of dextran. This zirconia membrane has pores of similar to 4 nm diameter and also retention properties for dextran molecules of m olecular weight higher than 10,000 daltons.