PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MOROCCAN CLAY SUPPORT FOR ZEOLITIC MEMBRANES

A common powder clay available in center region of Morocco (Meknes) was characterized by some techniques (FTIR, XRD, DTA and by X fluorescence methods) and used as a cheaper support to prepar silicalite membrane in the form of flat disk. This clay is composed principally by quartz as amorphous silica, alumina and calcium oxides (about 70%). Two kinds of membrane supports with organic additives CC (5%) and CA (20%) (Carbon or Starch additives) were obtained between T = 700 °C and T = 950°C, with an appropriate pore diameters (d = 0,2 μm) for membrane synthesises. Without the use of additives, the pore diameter of the support was smaller (d = 0,1 μm). The SEM study shows a uniform layer of silicalite crystals on top of the CA support. The preliminary N 2 permeation test indicate the membranes prepared could have application in gas or liquid separation.