Polysiloxane-based ceramic tapes applied for membrane emulsification process

Reference	Presenter	Authors (Institution)	Abstract
18-027	Michaela Wilhelm	Nishihora, R.K.(Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina); Hotza, D.(Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina); Rezwan, K.(Universität Bremen); Wilhelm, M.(Universität Bremen);	Emulsions have been attracting great attention in the last years due to the wide range of industrial application. Emulsions might be used for encapsulation and long-term release of active chemicals, as well as for modifying rheological, optical, lubrication, and sensorial properties of many products. Current industrial emulsification processes include high-pressure homogenizers, static mixers, and rotor-stator devices. These conventional methods demand high-energy inputs since high shear stresses are required to deform and disrupt the dispersed phase. In addition, there is a lack of the control of the produced droplet size. Therefore, membrane emulsification (ME) is a promising technique to generate droplets with a narrow size distribution. The membrane characteristics play an important role in the process. An advantageous class of materials are the Polymer-Derived Ceramics (PDCs) because pore size, open porosity, morphology, and surface characteristics (hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity) can be tailored by the precursor, preparation process and pyrolysis temperature. New polysiloxane-derived membranes have been developed and tested for the production of stable oil-in-water emulsions. The membranes have been produced by tape casting and porosity was adjusted by using filler particles of different sizes and a blowing agent. Furthermore, the surface characteristics were altered by different pyrolysis temperatures (600 and 1000°C). In three-point-bending tests, high mechanical strengths were observed, which are favorable for the membrane emulsification process. First results of emulsification tests will be presented, which show the potential of polysiloxane-derived membranes. <!--[if gte mso 9]>
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