Boehmite sol properties and preparation of two-layer alumina membrane by a sol-gel process

A two layer ultrafiltration alumina membrane was prepared by a sol-gel process using boehmite sol as precursor. The sol was prepared by hydrolysation of aluminium tri-sec-butoxide. Sol properties, such as viscosity as a function of concentration and acidity, were investigated by using capillary viscometry, transmission electron microscopy and laser scattering photometry etc. The viscosity increased with an increase in concentration and a decrease in pH, while the particle shape and size of the sol were mainly determined by pH. The membrane prepared by a dipping procedure was characterized by both scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the membrane thickness and surface morphology were affected by the dipping time, the viscosity and the temperature.