Polyamide-functionalized silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles-based ceramic membrane for separating an oil and water mixture

A method of making a ceramic membrane comprising an alumina (Al2O3) layer, a polyamide nanocomposite layer at least partially covering a surface of the alumina layer, wherein the polyamide nanocomposite layer comprises polyamide-functionalized silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles having an average particle size of 0.1 to 1 micrometer (μm), wherein the polyamide-functionalized SiC nanoparticles comprise an amine-functionalized SiC moiety, an acyl aryl, and a piperazine moiety, wherein the amine-functionalized SiC moiety comprises a SiC core and an amine functionalized silicon dioxide (SiO2) shell covering the SiC core, wherein the amine-functionalized SiC moiety is covalently bonded to the piperazine moiety via the acyl aryl moiety, and wherein the amine functionalized SiO2 shell comprises at least one amino group containing structural unit that is covalently bonded to the SiO2 shell, the method comprising:

• calcining silicon carbide particles at a temperature of 600 to 800 degree Celsius (° C.) in the presence of oxygen to form a first composite having a silicon carbide core surrounded by a silicon dioxide shell;
• dispersing the first composite in an alcohol solvent and mixing with an aminosilane compound to form a second composite;
• washing the second composite and drying to form an amine-functionalized silicon carbide composite;
• mixing the amine-functionalized silicon carbide composite and a piperazine-containing solution to form a dispersion;
• dipping the alumina layer into a surfactant solution to form a treated alumina layer;
• passing the dispersion through the treated alumina layer to from form an impregnated alumina layer containing the amine-functionalized silicon carbide composite particles and piperazine molecules;
• and
• dipping the impregnated alumina layer in an acyl aryl chloride solution and reacting to form the polyamide nanocomposite layer covering the surface of the alumina layer thereby forming the ceramic membrane.