Ceramic membranes and their use in separation processes.

Among the separation processes in the industry, those using membranes are u sually considered as forming a new and promising field. From them, those wh ich use ceramic membranes, which can be manufactured more selective now tha n some time ago, are especially relevant due to their high mechanic, therma l and chemical resistances. Here we will start by a summary description of the methods of synthesis of inorganic membranes and particularly ceramic on es. Traditional methods are presented as well as both the polymeric and the coloidal sol-gel techniques. In order to characterize them, pore size dist ributions and surface properties, including morphology, hydrophillicity and electrical properties should be investigated. Some techniques to study the se structural and surface properties are summarily presented. The ceramic m embranes can substitute polymeric ones in most of their typical application s with profit due to their better performances and durability.