Preparation of a reticulated ceramic using vegetal sponge as templating

This paper describes the preparation of a reticulated ceramic that combines the morphology of vegetal sponge with ceramic properties, such as thermal stability, resistance to chemical attack, elevated porous degree and reticulation. In this method sponge samples are dipped into a colloidal suspension of 50% clay, 35% feldspar and 15% sand (w/w), followed by drying and heat treatment at 1175 °C for 120 min. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the vegetal sponge showed that the organic material is completely eliminated at temperatures around 515 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the reticulated ceramic indicated the presence of mullite and cordierite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the reticulated ceramic showed the presence of two groups of porous ceramics, one in the range of 5–10 μm which was formed along the wall of the filaments, and another formed as a negative structure of the sponge filaments, measuring approximately 300 μm of diameter.