KIMS develops defect free high efficiency ceramic membranes to revolutionize next generation water treatment

KIMS researchers develop high-efficiency ceramic membranes that filter wastewater at low pressure, reducing energy costs and enabling resource recovery.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 8:19 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from National Research Council of Science & Technology

Overcoming Traditional Membrane Limitations

Ceramic membranes are vital for water treatment in extreme environments due to their thermal and chemical stability. However, traditional manufacturing is energy-intensive, requiring sintering temperatures of 1,300°C and complex multi-step coating processes. These methods often result in surface roughness and microcracks that degrade performance. Furthermore, conventional nanofiltration typically requires high operating pressures of around 10 bar. To address these hurdles, Dr. Hong-Ju Lee and Dr. In-Hyuk Song of the KIMS Nano Materials Research Division developed a "Mutual Doping" technique and a "Co-sintering" process that streamlines production and enhances durability.

Innovation in Manufacturing and Surface Control

The new co-sintering approach allows all membrane layers to be fired simultaneously at 1,000°C, a significant reduction from previous requirements. This method produces a dense, robust structure while achieving an ultra-flat surface. By reducing surface roughness from 24.49 nm to 11.74 nm, the team successfully suppressed the formation of cracks in the separation layer. This near-defect-free surface is a critical advancement for high-precision filtration, ensuring that the membrane maintains its integrity and performance over a longer operational lifetime.

Low-Pressure Operation and Resource Recovery

The research team secured a zirconia-based loose nanofiltration technology that operates effectively at just 2 bar—comparable to standard tap-water pressure. By coating a smooth substrate with an eco-friendly aqueous zirconia sol, they created a membrane that utilizes both fine pore size-exclusion and electrostatic repulsion. In tests involving dye-containing wastewater, the membrane removed over 99.8% of dyes while selectively allowing salt ions to pass through. This capability shifts the water treatment paradigm from simple waste removal to active resource recovery, which is essential for sustainable industrial practices.