One-step dip-coating method for preparation of ceramic nanofiber membrane with high permeability and low cost.

[Display omitted] • Low-cost ceramic nanofiber membranes (CNMs) were fabricated with attapulgite (APT). • APT-based CNMs have satisfactory mechanical strength and high water permeability. • Based on the fractal theory, the permeability of APT-based CNMs was analyzed. • A rejection of 96.6 % polymers with a molecule weight of 600 kDa was achieved. Ceramic nanofiber membrane (CNM) based on attapulgite (APT) without any intermediate layer neither any cracks was fabricated by a one-step dip-coating method. The effects of sintering temperature and dip-coating time on the physicochemical properties and performances of prepared CNMs were investigated. The increase of the sintering temperature up to 700 °C reduced the bending strength, porosity and chemical stability of APT-based CNMs. Meanwhile, with the dip-coating time increased, the membrane thickness increased thereafter reduced. The APT-based CNM fabricated at a sintering temperature of 600 °C and with a dip-coating time of 15 s had an average pore size of 20.4 nm, high porosity (above 60 %), good permeability of 118 L/m2 h bar and a rejection of 96.6 % polymers with a molecule weight of 600 kDa. All these properties clearly suggest the practicability of the one-step dip-coating method to prepare ceramic nanofiber membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]