Features of obtaining selective metal oxide layers for ceramic membranes via sol-gel method
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15587/2706-5448.2025.345312Keywords:
selective layers, metal oxides, spin-coating, ceramic membranes, sol-gel method, water permeabilityAbstract
The object of research is metal oxide layers based on SiO₂, TiO₂, ZrO₂ for creating intermediate and selective layers on ceramic matrices. One of the most problematic areas is the difficulty of obtaining a uniform, dense, and stable selective layer determines the operational characteristics of the membrane – selectivity, productivity, and fouling resistance. The sol-gel method was used for synthesizing colloidal solutions of SiO₂, TiO₂, ZrO₂ and the spin-coating method for applying the resulting suspensions to ceramic matrices. The sizes of SiO₂, TiO₂, ZrO₂ particles were determined by turbidimetry, with diameters of 159 nm, 79 nm, and 99 nm, respectively. The results of IR spectroscopy show that the application of TiO₂ selective layer by spin-coating allows for complete coverage of the membrane surface, while the application of ZrO₂ layer results in incomplete coverage with confirmation of the formation of a hydrated precipitate. Studies of morphology by scanning electron microscopy indicate a coarse-grained matrix structure and a more homogeneous medium-grained structure after applying an intermediate SiO2 layer. The transport properties of ceramic matrices and membranes were determined by their permeability to pure water indicates high permeability of both matrices and membranes. Thus, the sol-gel method in combination with spin-coating has several features, in particular, controlled hydrolysis of precursors and the possibility of step-by-step formation of uniform layers makes it possible to obtain membranes with high water permeability (over 560 cm³/min) and a stable microfiltration structure after applying only 5 layers. Compared to similar methods, the proposed approach provides uniform coverage, less particle agglomeration, increased process reproducibility, enabling the creation of ceramic microfiltration membranes for water purification processes.
Supporting Agency
- National Research Foundation of Ukraine for funding the project “Scientific Basis of Synthesis of Advanced Ceramic Membranes Using 3D Printing Technologies” (project registration number 2023.03/0178), Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine for funding the applied research project “Chemically Modified Membranes for Rapid Detection of Nitrogen Compounds in Natural Waters as Markers of Explosives” (state registration number 0124U001095).
References
- Serhiienko, A. O., Dontsova, T. A., Yanushevska, O. I., Nahirniak, S. V., Ahmad, H.-B. (2020). Ceramic membranes: new trends and prospects (short review). Water and water purification technologies. Scientific and Technical News, 27 (2), 4–31. https://doi.org/10.20535/2218-93002722020208817
- Gao, Y., Hao, W., Xu, G., Wang, C., Gu, X., Zhao, P. (2022). Enhancement of super-hydrophilic/underwater super-oleophobic performance of ceramic membrane with TiO2 nanowire array prepared via low temperature oxidation. Ceramics International, 48 (7), 9426–9433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.12.139
- Molchan, Y., Bohdan, L., Kyrii, S., Tymoshenko, O., Pylypenko, I., Burmak, A. et al. (2025). Low-cost ceramic membrane supports based on ukrainian kaolin and saponite. Functional Materials, 32 (1), 87–96. https://doi.org/10.15407/fm32.01.87
- Yanushevska, O. I., Dontsova, T. A., Aleksyk, A. I., Vlasenko, N. V., Didenko, O. Z., Nypadymka, A. S. (2020). Surface and Structural Properties of Clay Materials Based on Natural Saponite. Clays and Clay Minerals, 68 (5), 465–475. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42860-020-00088-4
- Erdem, İ. (2017). Sol-gel applications for ceramic membrane preparation. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1809, 020011. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4975426
- Vovk, O. F., Davydova, M. Y., Yanushevska, O. I., Kyrii, S. O., Linovytska, V. M., Lapinskyi, A. V., Dontsovа, T. A. (2024). Antibacterial properties of ceramic membranes with TiO2 selective layer. Journal of Chemical Technology, 32 (2), 351–362. https://doi.org/10.15421/jchemtech.v32i2.298738
- Benrezgua, E., Deghfel, B., Zoukel, A., Basirun, W. J., Amari, R., Boukhari, A. et al. (2022). Synthesis and properties of copper doped zinc oxide thin films by sol-gel, spin coating and dipping: A characterization review. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1267, 133639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.133639
- Marzouk, S. S., Naddeo, V., Banat, F., Hasan, S. W. (2021). Preparation of TiO2/SiO2 ceramic membranes via dip coating for the treatment of produced water. Chemosphere, 273, 129684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129684
- Zeribi, F., Attaf, A., Derbali, A., Saidi, H., Benmebrouk, L., Aida, M. S. et al. (2022). Dependence of the Physical Properties of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Thin Films Grown by Sol-Gel (Spin-Coating) Process on Thickness. ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology, 11 (2), 023003. https://doi.org/10.1149/2162-8777/ac5168
- Lukong, V. T., Ukoba, K. O., Jen, T. C. (2022). Heat-assisted sol–gel synthesis of tio2 nanoparticles structural, morphological and optical analysis for self-cleaning application. Journal of King Saud University – Science, 34 (1), 101746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2021.101746
- Al Amin, S. M., Kowser, Md. A. (2024). Influence of Ag doping on structural, morphological, and optical characteristics of sol-gel spin-coated TiO2 thin films. Heliyon, 10 (18), e37558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37558
- Bhandarkar, S. A., Prathvi, Kompa, A., Murari, M. S., Kekuda, D., Mohan, R. K. (2021). Investigation of structural and optical properties of spin coated TiO2:Mn thin films. Optical Materials, 118, 111254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2021.111254
- Prathvi, Bhandarkar, S. A., Kompa, A., Kekuda, D., S, M. M., Telenkov, M. P., Nagaraja, K. K., Mohan Rao, K. (2021). Spectroscopic, structural and morphological properties of spin coated Zn:TiO2 thin films. Surfaces and Interfaces, 23, 100910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2020.100910
- Prasad, A., Singh, F., Dhuliya, V., Purohit, L. P., Ramola, R. C. (2024). Structural and optical characteristics of Cr-doped TiO2 thin films synthesized by sol-gel method. Optical Materials, 151, 115411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2024.115411
- Caligulu, U., Darcan, N., Kejanli, H. (2021). Surface morphology and optical properties of Ca and Mn doped TiO2 nano-structured thin films. Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal, 24 (6), 1292–1300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jestch.2021.05.006
- Pérez-Jiménez, L. E., Solis-Cortazar, J. C., Rojas-Blanco, L., Perez-Hernandez, G., Martinez, O. S., Palomera, R. C. et al. (2019). Enhancement of optoelectronic properties of TiO2 films containing Pt nanoparticles. Results in Physics, 12, 1680–1685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinp.2019.01.046
- Baqiah, H., Mustafa Awang Kechik, M., Pasupuleti, J., Zhang, N., Mohammed Al-Hada, N., Fat Chau, C. et al. (2023). Nanostructure, optical, electronic, photoluminescence and magnetic properties of Co-doped ZrO2 sol–gel films. Results in Physics, 55, 107194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinp.2023.107194
- Mathew Simon, S., George, G., Sajna, M. S., Prakashan, V. P., Anna Jose, T., Vasudevan, P. et al. (2021). Recent advancements in multifunctional applications of sol-gel derived polymer incorporated TiO2-ZrO2 composite coatings: A comprehensive review. Applied Surface Science Advances, 6, 100173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsadv.2021.100173
- Ali, M. M., Haque, Md. J., Kabir, M. H., Kaiyum, M. A., Rahman, M. S. (2021). Nano synthesis of ZnO–TiO2 composites by sol-gel method and evaluation of their antibacterial, optical and photocatalytic activities. Results in Materials, 11, 100199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinma.2021.100199
- Chi, N., Wang, Y. (2022). Synthesis and application of CuO-TiO2 hybrid nanostructures as Photocatalytst for degradation of p-nitrophenol in wastewater. International Journal of Electrochemical Science, 17 (10), 221061. https://doi.org/10.20964/2022.10.50
- Gutierrez-Sanchez, C. D., Téllez-Jurado, L., Dorantes-Rosales, H. J. (2024). Synthesis of zirconia nanoparticles by sol-gel. Influence of acidity-basicity on the stability transformation, particle, and crystallite size. Ceramics International, 50 (11), 20547–20560. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.03.177
- Shishodia, G., Gupta, S., Pahwa, N., Shishodia, P. K. (2024). ZrO2 Nanoparticles Synthesized by the Sol–Gel Method: Dependence of Size on pH and Annealing Temperature. Journal of Electronic Materials, 53 (9), 5159–5168. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-024-11185-8
- Chen, M., Heijman, S. G. J., Rietveld, L. C. (2021). State-of-the-Art Ceramic Membranes for Oily Wastewater Treatment: Modification and Application. Membranes, 11 (11), 888. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11110888
- Cai, Y., Wang, Y., Chen, X., Qiu, M., Fan, Y. (2015). Modified colloidal sol–gel process for fabrication of titania nanofiltration membranes with organic additives. Journal of Membrane Science, 476, 432–441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2014.11.034
- Schiffer, S., Matyssek, A., Hartinger, M., Bolduan, P., Mund, P., Kulozik, U. (2021). Effects of selective layer properties of ceramic multi-channel microfiltration membranes on the milk protein fractionation. Separation and Purification Technology, 259, 118050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2020.118050
- Molchan, Y., Vorobyova, V., Vasyliev, G., Pylypenko, I., Shtyka, O., Maniecki, T., Dontsova, T. (2024). Physicochemical and antibacterial properties of ceramic membranes based on silicon carbide. Chemical Papers, 78 (16), 8659–8672. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-024-03695-w
- Fedenko, Y. M., Dontsova, Т. А., Astrelin, I. M. (2012). Turbidymetrychnyi metod otsinky rozmiriv nanochastynok u “bilykh zoliakh” ZrO2. Scientific news of NTUU “KPI”, 1, 155–158. Available at: https://ela.kpi.ua/server/api/core/bitstreams/769d2666-ee3f-478d-9aa1-ba83db3a4453/content
- Kurylenko, V. S., Tereshkov, M. V., Fedenko, Yu. M., Lapinskyi, A. V., Yanushevska, O. I., Dontsova, T. A. (2025). Prospects of using DLP 3D printing technology to produce membrane ceramic modules. Journal of Chemical Technology, 33 (2), 508–518. https://doi.org/10.15421/jchemtech.v33i2.317663
- Dixit, C. K., Bhakta, S., Kumar, A., Suib, S. L., Rusling, J. F. (2016). Fast nucleation for silica nanoparticle synthesis using a sol-gel method. Nanoscale, 8 (47), 19662–19667. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6nr07568a
- Chang, C., Rad, S., Gan, L., Li, Z., Dai, J., Shahab, A. (2023). Review of the sol–gel method in preparing nano TiO2 for advanced oxidation process. Nanotechnology Reviews, 12 (1). https://doi.org/10.1515/ntrev-2023-0150
- Takada, T. (2020). Removal of F- from Water Using Templated Mesoporous Carbon Modified with Hydrated Zirconium Oxide. C – Journal of Carbon Research, 6 (1), 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/c6010013
- Pylypenko, M. M., Yanko, T. B., Stadnik, Y. S., Drobyshevska, A. O. (2019). Processing substandard materials of magnesium-thermal zirconium production. Problems of Atomic Science and Technology, 5, 135–141. Available at: https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/195204
- Omar, M. F., Ismail, Abd. K., Sumpono, I., Alim, E. A., Nawi, M. N., Rahim Mukri, M. ‘A. (2012). FTIR Spectroscopy Characterization of Si-C bonding in SiC Thin Film prepared at Room Temperature by Conventional 13.56MHz RF PECVD. Malaysian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, 8 (4), 242–244. https://doi.org/10.11113/mjfas.v8n4.156
- Zakirov, M., Korotchenkov, O., Rybak, Ya. (2016). Photoluminescence of ZnS Luminophore Sonofragmentated in Isopropyl Alcohol Solution. Journal of Nano- and Electronic Physics, 8 (4 (1)). https://doi.org/10.21272/jnep.8(4(1)).04002
- Al-Amin, M., Dey, S. C., Rashid, T. U., Ashaduzzaman, M., Shamsuddin, S. M. (2016). Solar assisted photocatalytic degradation of reactive azo dyes in presence of anatase titanium dioxide. International Journal of Latest Research in Engineering and Technology, 2 (3), 14–21. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299441386_Solar_Assisted_Photocatalytic_Degradation_of_Reactive_Azo_Dyes_in_Presence_of_Anatase_Titanium_Dioxide
- Chougala, L. S., Yatnatti, M. S., Linganagoudar, R. K., Kamble, R. R., Kadadevarmath, J. S. (2017). A Simple Approach on Synthesis of TiO2 Nanoparticles and its Application in dye Sensitized Solar Cells. Journal of Nano- and Electronic Physics, 9 (4). https://doi.org/10.21272/jnep.9(4).04005
- Ramachandran, M., Subadevi, R., Rajkumar, P., Muthupradeepa, R., Yuvakkumar, R., Sivakumar, M. (2021). Upshot of Concentration of Zirconium (IV) Oxynitrate Hexa Hydrate on Preparation and Analyses of Zirconium Oxide (ZrO2) Nanoparticles by Modified Co-Precipitation Method. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 21 (11), 5707–5713. https://doi.org/10.1166/jnn.2021.19488
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Liudmyla Bohdan, Khrystyna Hutsul, Olena Yanushevska, Yurii Fedenko, Tetiana Dontsova

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The consolidation and conditions for the transfer of copyright (identification of authorship) is carried out in the License Agreement. In particular, the authors reserve the right to the authorship of their manuscript and transfer the first publication of this work to the journal under the terms of the Creative Commons CC BY license. At the same time, they have the right to conclude on their own additional agreements concerning the non-exclusive distribution of the work in the form in which it was published by this journal, but provided that the link to the first publication of the article in this journal is preserved.



