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Textile dyes have become an increasingly significant source of environmental pollution worldwide, particularly affecting aquatic ecosystems and, consequently, human health. This study focuses on developing low-cost ceramic membranes for the treatment of dye-contaminated water, using natural and inexpensive raw materials. The membranes were fabricated from abundant clay mixed with varying weight percentages of magnesium hydroxide, used as a pore-forming agent, and were sintered at 900 °C and 1000 °C. To enhance their filtration performance, the membranes were coated with a refractory cordierite layer that is chemically, physically, and thermally stable. This coating was applied using a sedimentation technique, allowing precise control of the thickness and ensuring the formation of a thin and homogeneous layer. Results showed that membranes sintered at 900 °C were able to remove between 99% and 99.8% of dyes, achieving water fluxes ranging from 46.36 to 84 L/(h·m²), with mechanical strengths between 79 and 113 MPa. For membranes sintered at 1000 °C containing 5% magnesium hydroxide, the addition of the cordierite layer improved the dye removal rate from 50% to 99%, resulting in fluxes between 61 and 77 L/(h·m²) and compressive strengths ranging from 60 to 136 MPa. The incorporation of the cordierite layer significantly enhances the membranes’ ability to operate under demanding environmental conditions. The estimated production cost of these ceramic membranes ranges from 12 to 46 USD/m², making them a promising solution for sustainable water treatment.
