Synthesis Process of Silica–Activated Carbon Composite Ceramic Membranes for Integrated Filtration and Adsorption in Acid Mine Drainage

S.R.P. Primandari; T. Aprianti; Y. Sugiarto; Mulianti; T. Elshaarani

doi:10.31643/2028/6445.31

Authors

S.R.P. Primandari Universitas Negeri Padang
T. Aprianti Universitas Sriwijaya
Y. Sugiarto Universitas Brawijaya
Mulianti Universitas Negeri Padang
T. Elshaarani University of Khorfakkan; Institute of Chemistry and Nuclear Physics

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31643/2028/6445.31

Keywords:

filtration, ceramic membrane, wastewater, heavy metal adsorption.

Abstract

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is a liquid waste from coal mining by-products. AMD is a highly corrosive liquid (pH 1.5 – 4.0) and contains heavy metals, which is one of the problems in coal mining. Filtration technology using ceramic membranes can offer greater corrosion resistance than other membranes. Therefore, the study aims to fabricate and characterize composite ceramic membranes made from silica extracted from rice husk ash (RHA) and modified with high-performance activated carbon (Maxsorb III) to boost heavy metal adsorption capacity. The membranes are produced through extrusion molding and stepwise sintering processes. The results were analyzed using SEM-EDS, XRF, XRD, and BET. XRF analysis showed that the silica purity increased from 88.42 to 98.62 wt%, while XRD confirmed a predominantly amorphous structure with a broad peak centered at approximately 22° (2θ). SEM-EDS revealed the formation and distribution of pores, with Si, O, and C as the main elements. Increasing the activated carbon content from 10 to 20 wt% increased the BET specific surface area from 238 to 412 m²/g and the average pore diameter from 16 to 25 nm, indicating increased pore development and surface area. These results indicate that activated carbon effectively modifies the porous structure and textural properties of the ceramic membrane.

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Author Biographies

S.R.P. Primandari, Universitas Negeri Padang

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1279-7331

T. Aprianti, Universitas Sriwijaya

Dr., Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sriwijaya, Palembang, Indonesia. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0183-2557

Y. Sugiarto, Universitas Brawijaya

Dr., Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5736-1972

Mulianti, Universitas Negeri Padang

Dr., Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0149-7364

T. Elshaarani, University of Khorfakkan; Institute of Chemistry and Nuclear Physics

Dr., Sharjah Marine Science Research Center, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Aquatic Biology, University of Khorfakkan, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, and Institute of Chemistry and Nuclear Physics, Sudan Atomic Energy Commission, Khartoum, Sudan. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5769-4758

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