ZrO₂ is an excellent ceramic preparation material that can maintain chemical stability in medium–strong acid and alkali environments. The sintering impregnation method was used to prepare the ZrO₂/TiO₂/Al₂O₃ composite nanofiltration membrane (ZTA membrane). Nano-ZrO₂, submicron TiO₂, and microporous Al₂O₃ were used as the surface layer, the transition layer, and the support layer, respectively. The structure and phase of the membrane were measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The composite membrane’s retention, hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties were characterized and evaluated using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer, a water contact angle tester (WCA), and a dead-end filtration device. With the increase in separation layer deposition time, the retention rate of methyl blue increased, and the water flux decreased. At a deposition time of 75 min, the retention rate of methyl blue was more than 80%, and the water flux reached 337.5 L·m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ at −1 bar transmembrane pressure. The membranes are hydrophilic and have different interception abilities for metal ions, and the order of retention effect is Ag⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Na⁺, and Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ reached 65.3% and 50.5%, respectively. The prepared ZTA composite nanofiltration membrane has potential application value in heavy metal ion filtration.

Cordierite diesel particulate filters (DPFs) were prepared using pure cordierit powder with organic binders, sodium silicate aids and pore formers by extrusion technique. The orthogonal test method was adopted to investigate the optimal value of the multi-objective and multi-factor problems. Based on results from statistical analysis, sintering temperature is the most important factor. The optimal parameters included a 3 h holding time, 10 wt.% pore former, 12 wt.% sintering aid, and a sintering temperature of 1150 °C. As the sodium silicate liquid increased and viscosity decreased with the increasing of temperature, which led to the formation of glass phases and the improvement of density. Therefore, with increasing sintering temperature, the porosity and coefficient of thermal expansion decreased. Both the mechanical properties and chemical stability of the prepared samples are strengthened. When the sintering temperature was 1150 °C, the prepared samples with high porosity (67.82%), compressive strength (5.88 MPa), bending strength (13.10 MPa), low thermal expansion coefficient (CTE, 1.82×10-6/oC) showed the best comprehensive performance of thermal shock resistance and filtration efficiency. These results demonstrate great potential for DPF applications and provide a refrence for the design of other honeycomb ceramics with optimum level of liquid phase.