Preparation of a new ceramic microfiltration membrane with a separation layer of attapulgite nanofibers

•The separation layer of new ceramic membrane was made of attapulgite nanofibers.•The membrane has an average pore size of 0.250 µm and a porosity of about 54%.•The pure water flux of the membrane reached 1540 L/(m2 h bar).•The membrane was able to reject all the calcium carbonate particles in suspension.•The membrane was able to be easily regenerated by backwashing and used repeatedly.

To improve the performance of ceramic membranes and reduce their costs, a new ceramic microfiltration membrane with a separation layer made of attapulgite nanofibers was fabricated by dip-coating on the inner surface of ɑ-alumina tubular supports. The membrane has a separation layer of attapulgite nanofibers without evident defects and exhibits excellent interface properties, showing good adherence to the ɑ-alumina substrate. The nanofiber membrane has an average pore size of 0.250 μm, thickness of approximately 6.7 μm, and a pure water flux of 1540 L/(m2 h bar). The membrane was able to reject all the calcium carbonate particles in suspension, and showed a steady permeate flux of approximately 980 L/(m2 h bar). In addition, the membrane can be easily regenerated by backwashing without any damage, and therefore used repeatedly.