Ceramic membranes.: Types, preparation methods and characterization

The following review summarizes the last advances in technology of ceramic membrane. In the last years these membranes and their modules compete with organic membranes in many applications due to their high thermal and chemical stability, long life and good defouling properties. The sol-gel process is considered one of the best methods for ceramic membranes synthesis, because of its ability to make thin membrane top layers of nanoscale pore diameter, with narrow pore size distribution. Characterization methods such as gas permeation, bubble point test, N-2 adsorption-desorption, Hg penetration and microscopy allow to know the structure of the membrane..