Characterization of natural Lebanese clays for the preparation of ceramic membranes designed to water filtration

The potentiality of natural Lebanon minerals for the fabrication of ceramics membranes has been investigated for the first time, opening new perspectives for the development of local, low-cost and sustainable processes for water filtration. Natural clay deposits, originated from North (Kousba, El-Koura), South (Hasbaya) and East (Rashaya, south of the Beqaa valley) regions of Lebanon were collected and investigated in terms of chemical, mineralogical and thermal features. The phase and chemical transformations occurring during heat treatments of these clays were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), in view of their uses as membranes for water purification. Flat membranes were prepared by roll-pressing of clay pastes followed by pyrolysis. The mineral membranes were characterized in terms of porosity and water flux.