Performance assessment of MCM-48 ceramic composite membrane by separation of AlCl3 from aqueous solution

•MCM-48 ceramic composite membrane was synthesized by in-situ hydrothermal method.•Multiple cycle of MCM-48 coating decreased porosity and pore size of the membrane.•Membrane displayed 81% rejection for AlCl3 with permeate flux of 4.15×10−6 m3 m−2 s−1.

Three dimensional ordered mesoporous MCM-48 membrane was fabricated on a circular shaped ceramic support by in-situ hydrothermal method. The synthesized MCM-48 powder and MCM-48 ceramic composite membrane were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The porosity and pore size of the composite membrane are reduced considerably by the deposition of MCM-48 on the support. The formation of MCM-48 is verified by the XRD analysis. Three stepwise mechanisms for surfactant removal are observed by TGA analysis. FESEM images clearly signify the deposition of MCM-48 on the ceramic support. The pure water flux of the support and MCM-48 composite membrane is found to be 3.63×10−6 and 4.18×10−8 m3/m2 s kPa, respectively. The above prepared MCM-48 ceramic composite membrane is employed for the removal of AlCl3 from aqueous solution and the highest rejection of 81% is obtained at an applied pressure of 276 kPa with salt concentration of 250 ppm.