Fabrication of superhydrophilic membrane filters using spherical glass particles obtained by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

Fabrication of high performance membrane filters requires that both the substrate and the filtering layer have low resistance to liquid flow. The thickness, uniform porosity and hydrophilic nature are the main responsible parameters. Due to the antimicrobial property of the material it is widely used in solid/liquid separation. In this study, the substrate was of quartz type and the additives (frit glass and zeolite) made the filters with glassy pore walls as the sintering temperature applied was above their fusion temperature. The coating layer produced by antimicrobial and superhydrophilic (contact angel 8°) borosilicate glass particles has spherical shapes and their size intervals are narrow (0.65-2.4 μm). A thin layer coating without any cracks on the surface pores of the substrate has been obtained successfully. The coating was achieved by filtration and used for different amounts of feed material through dead-end pressure filtration modes. Sintering temperature and duration times determine the structural integrity of the coating as well as the pore evaluation.