<p>This study investigated the development and performance of ceramic membranes fabricated from natural clay and additives for textile wastewater treatment using a two-chamber electrolysis setup. Clay sourced from Budge Budge, West Bengal, was combined with bentonite, fly ash, sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), sodium metasilicate (Na₂SiO₃.9H₂O), and boric acid (H₃BO₃) to create membranes designated as M₁, M₂, and M₃. These membranes were sintered, characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and evaluated for their efficacy in reducing Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in real textile wastewater from Kothari Processors Pvt. Ltd., West Bengal, India. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed M₁’s uniform pore structure, aided by sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction confirmed M₁’s composition of silicon dioxide (SiO₂), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), and mullite, with strong oxygen-hydrogen (O–H) and silicon-oxygen (Si–O) bonds. Thermogravimetric Analysis indicated significant weight loss for M₁, suggesting enhanced properties. In the two-chamber electrolysis setup, M₁ achieved up to 72% TOC removal in 30&#xa0;min with lower energy requirements due to enhanced conductivity. The results demonstrated that ceramic membranes hold significant potential as an eco-friendly and efficient approach for textile wastewater treatment, serving as a strong alternative to conventional treatment methods.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>