Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sergio Santoro, Marco Aquino, Carlo Rizza, Anna Cupolillo, Danil W. Boukhvalov, Gianluca D'Olimpio, Shir Abramovich, Amit Agarwal, Maya Bar Sadan, Antonio Politano, Efrem Curcio
Summary: Recently, the utilization of nanoscale photothermal effects in nanocomposite membranes made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) loaded with NiSe or CoSe nanoparticles has been explored to achieve the crystallization of dissolved salts in brines. Through sunlight irradiation, the plasmonic NiSe and CoSe nanoparticles in the membranes can increase the vaporization of water from brine, leading to supersaturation conditions and subsequent heterogeneous nucleation and crystallization of dissolved salts.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Muhammad Usman Farid, Jehad A. Kharraz, Alicia Kyoungjin An
Summary: This study demonstrates the desalination performance of a solar-driven membrane distillation process, utilizing plasmonic titanium nitride nanoparticles for localized heating. The photothermal membrane efficiently induces vapor generation at the feed-membrane interface under solar irradiation. The engineered TiN layer exhibits high mechanical stability and excellent light-to-heat conversion properties, making it a promising material for solar-driven membrane distillation applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xuanhao Wu, Sisi Cao, Deoukchen Ghim, Qisheng Jiang, Srikanth Singamaneni, Young-Shin Jun
Summary: The newly developed solar-driven photothermal membrane distillation (PMD) system offers efficient vapor generation, condensation, and collection, utilizing a bilayer structure to enhance optical/photothermal activities and increase membrane porosity. This system shows high permeate flux and solar energy-to-collected water efficiency, providing a promising solution for decentralized desalination in remote areas.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sergio Santoro, Marco Aquino, Carlo Rizza, Jessica Occhiuzzi, Dario Mastrippolito, Gianluca D'Olimpio, Ahmet H. Avci, Jessica De Santis, Valentina Paolucci, Luca Ottaviano, Luca Lozzi, Avner Ronen, Maya Bar-Sadan, Dong Suk Han, Antonio Politano, Efrem Curcio
Summary: We have developed a new technology using excitons-based light-to-heat conversion promoted by WS2 nanofillers for sunlight-driven photothermal membrane crystallization, to extract lithium from Li-rich brines. This green and economical nanotechnology platform enhances water evaporation and triggers the crystallization of LiCl salt. These findings provide new opportunities for the large-scale, efficient, and sustainable recovery of lithium and other critical raw materials for clean energy transition.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Abdul Ghani Razaqpur, Yuqi Wang, Xiangjun Liao, Yuan Liao, Rong Wang
Summary: The PMD process utilizes photothermal materials to locally heat the membrane-feed water interface, reducing energy consumption and addressing the challenge of obtaining clean water using green energy. Various methods for preparing PMD membranes are available, and efficiency is enhanced through the recovery of latent heat from vapor condensation.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ningbo Li, Da-Jie Yang, Yang Shao, Yunting Liu, Jiebin Tang, Liping Yang, Tianyu Sun, Weijia Zhou, Hong Liu, Guobin Xue
Summary: Researchers have developed coral-like micro/nanostructure on aluminum sheet using laser direct writing, which enables the black aluminum to have excellent solar absorption and photothermal conversion properties.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Gangkai Jiang, Wei Yu, Hui Lei
Summary: Membrane distillation (MD) technology combines thermal treatment with membrane separation and has great commercial application potential. A new type of photo-thermal conversion material based on Ti3C2Tx MXene was developed and integrated into a novel solar membrane distillation (SMD) system, providing an efficient utilization of solar energy.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yi-Rui Chen, Ruikun Xin, Xiaochuan Huang, Kuichang Zuo, Kuo-Lun Tung, Qilin Li
Summary: Efficient utilization of solar energy for desalination was achieved by developing a dual functional omniphobic-photothermal nanocomposite membrane, which showed improved membrane flux and wetting resistance. The membrane exhibited a solar energy utilization efficiency of 75.4%, significantly higher than conventional methods, making it an excellent material for the direct solar membrane distillation process.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Wenpeng Li, Libo Deng, Haiyan Huang, Jiale Zhou, Yuanyuan Liao, Lei Qiu, Haitao Yang, Lei Yao
Summary: The study successfully integrated energy-saving, flux-enhancing, and anti-fouling properties into a single membrane, creating a high-performance Janus photothermal membrane. The novel Janus photothermal membrane showed excellent desalination performance in a solar-driven MD system, with a significantly increased distillation flux.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mengmeng Lou, Jingzi Li, Xiaowei Zhu, Jingchao Chen, Xingran Zhang, Xiaofeng Fang, Fang Li
Summary: This study developed a novel photothermal membrane with improved light absorbance and heat localization, which enhanced the photothermal-vapor conversion efficiency and successfully intercepted VOCs. The new membrane achieved high flux and efficiency for desalination under simulated sunlight illumination.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiawei Sun, Muhammad Usman Farid, Min Wei Boey, Yugo Sato, Guanghao Chen, Alicia Kyoungjin An
Summary: A highly stable MXene-PVA-TiO2@PVDF Janus membrane was fabricated and tested in an advanced photothermal-catalytic membrane distillation (PMD) system, showing superior photothermal desalination flux and efficient photodegradation capacity. The exceptional properties of MXene, such as wide-spectrum optical absorption and light-to-heat conversion, as well as the formation of MXene-TiO2 hierarchical structure, contributed to the enhanced performance. The chemical and mechanical strength was also improved by the robust 2D network structure of MXene-PVA. This study demonstrates the feasibility of synergetic photothermal-catalytic membrane distillation and highlights the promising prospects of MXene materials in this field.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dapeng Liu, Tingting Zhu, Junzhi Zheng, Ganwei Zhang, Yaoliang Hong
Summary: This study presents a method for mitigating scaling and increasing the lifespan of solar-driven membrane distillation by utilizing a liquid-lubricated nanofibrous membrane. The decreased attachment strength of the liquid-lubricated surfaces plays a crucial role in obstructing the adsorption of salt crystals. Additionally, the interconnected structure of the nanofibrous membrane allows for a high distillate flux under natural light.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Maryam Alqaydi, Musthafa O. Mavukkandy, Ibrahim Mustafa, Aaesha Alnuaimi, Hassan A. Arafat, Faisal Almarzooqi
Summary: The air gap membrane distillation process utilizing PVDF-AC composite membranes shows great potential for efficient and environmentally friendly desalination using solar energy, with enhanced energy efficiency and excellent salt rejection performance.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zongjie Li, Shuye Wang, Xinhui Wang, Xiaobin Sun, Weimin Kang, Yong Liu
Summary: In this paper, a hierarchical Cu-based metal-organic framework-functionalized PVDF nanofiber membrane was developed for high-efficient photothermal membrane distillation (PMD). The membrane exhibited excellent photothermal conversion performance, high energy utilization, and high permeate flux. It can be applied to solve the problem of freshwater shortage in areas where freshwater and fuel resources are scarce and solar energy is abundant.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xiangjun Liao, Pan Dai, Yuqi Wang, Xiaocheng Zhang, Yuan Liao, Xiaofei You, Abdul Ghani Razaqpur
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of photothermal membrane distillation (PMD) in addressing the water-energy nexus. The authors developed a microsphere structured composite membrane with superior light-to-heat conversion and superhydrophobic properties. The membrane showed high light absorptivity, heat recovery, and vapor production, along with excellent wetting resistance. The localized heating alleviated temperature polarization, increased the permeation flux, and reduced thermal energy consumption. The modified membrane also exhibited better anti-scaling properties compared to the original membrane.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vito Despoja, Ivan Radovic, Antonio Politano, Zoran L. Miskovic
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Cheng Guo, Wanlong Guo, Huang Xu, Libo Zhang, Gang Chen, Gianluca DOlimpio, Chia-Nung Kuo, Chin Shan Lue, Lin Wang, Antonio Politano, Xiaoshuang Chen, Wei Lu
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Valentina Paolucci, Gianluca D'Olimpio, Chia-Nung Kuo, Chin Shan Lue, Danil W. Boukhvalov, Carlo Cantalini, Antonio Politano
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Danil W. Boukhvalov, Gianluca D'Olimpio, Silvia Nappini, Luca Ottaviano, Federica Bondino, Antonio Politano
Summary: In this study, the physicochemical properties of III-VI and IV-VI metal chalcogenides in both bulk and nanosheets forms were investigated. Their potential applications in electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and gas sensing were explored using density function theory and surface-science experiments. GaSe, InSe, and GeSe were identified as promising low-cost catalysts due to their stability in water and resistance against CO poisoning. Both bulk and exfoliated III-VI and IV-VI metal chalcogenides exhibited oxidation, resulting in the formation of an oxide skin. This self-assembled heterostructure enhanced the electrocatalytic activity of the materials. Additionally, the modified band gap due to oxidation enabled the activation of photocatalytic processes with different wavelengths. The self-assembled metal-oxide/metal-chalcogenide heterostructure also allowed for gas sensing of NO2, NH3, and CO at elevated temperatures. Overall, III-VI and IV-VI metal chalcogenides show great potential in electrochemistry, photocatalysis, and chemical sensing due to their low cost and superior application capabilities.
ISRAEL JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eva Arianna Aurelia Pogna, Leonardo Viti, Antonio Politano, Massimo Brambilla, Gaetano Scamarcio, Miriam Serena Vitiello
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eva Arianna Aurelia Pogna, Leonardo Viti, Antonio Politano, Massimo Brambilla, Gaetano Scamarcio, Miriam Serena Vitiello
Summary: Through near-field microscopy, researchers have explored the rich physics of layered topological insulators Bi2Se3 and Bi2Te2.2Se0.8, revealing the collective modes dominating the optical response in thin flakes, as well as the propagation of phonon-polariton modes influenced by the topological surface states.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Gianluca D'Olimpio, Daniel Farias, Chia-Nung Kuo, Luca Ottaviano, Chin Shan Lue, Danil W. Boukhvalov, Antonio Politano
Summary: Tin diselenide (SnSe2) is a versatile layered semiconductor with broad application capabilities in the fields of energy storage, photocatalysis, and photodetection. The formation of a SnO2/SnSe2 heterostructure allows for effective adsorption and sensing of noxious gases, as well as fast large-area imaging for millimeter waves.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Gianluca D'Olimpio, Sergio Santoro, Chia-Nung Kuo, Luca Ottaviano, Chin Shan Lue, Danil W. Boukhvalov, Antonio Politano
Summary: Clean hydrogen production is crucial for the energy transition, and electrochemical water splitting is a promising method. Through the study of the physicochemical mechanisms of group-10 metal chalcogenides, it is found that these materials can replace expensive Pt electrodes, showing competitiveness in hydrogen production and having convenient synthesis methods. Additionally, the presence of Dirac-cone electrons in these materials benefits fast electron transfer and reaction kinetics.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Gianluca D'Olimpio, Jessica Occhiuzzi, Luca Lozzi, Luca Ottaviano, Antonio Politano
Summary: Liquid-phase exfoliation of layered materials is an ideal method for scalable synthesis of nanosheets. However, the toxicity of existing solvents limits their application. In this study, a new solvent called Rhodiasolv Iris is validated for efficient liquid-phase exfoliation of van der Waals materials, providing high yield of 2D material flakes with high aspect ratio. The use of Iris opens up new possibilities for the ecofriendly production and industrial usage of 2D materials. The values of surface tension, Hansen solubility parameter, and viscosity of Rhodiasolv Iris are also reported for the first time.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica Occhiuzzi, Grazia Giuseppina Politano, Gianluca D'Olimpio, Antonio Politano
Summary: The recent advent of two-dimensional (2D) materials has had a ground-breaking impact on science and technology. Liquid-phase exfoliation based on green and bioderived solvents represents an ideal methodology for the large-scale production of 2D materials. The use of eco-friendly solvents such as Polarclean and Iris enables low-density defects and ink-jet printing with functional inks of 2D materials.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Donia Elmaghraoui, Imen Ben Amara, Sihem Jaziri
Summary: Developing photothermal solar driven membrane distillation (PSDMD) is important for providing fresh water in remote off-grid regions. Nickel sulfides and nickel tellurium nanoparticles (NPs) were proposed to enhance the performance of the polymeric membrane. NiS and NiTe2 NPs showed the highest solar light-to-heat conversion efficiency and achieved a transmembrane vapor flux of 22-27 L/m(2)h in the PVDF membrane.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yanxue Zhang, Gianluca D'Olimpio, Federica Bondino, Silvia Nappini, Marian Cosmin Istrate, Raman Sankar, Corneliu Ghica, Luca Ottaviano, Junfeng Gao, Antonio Politano
Summary: The chemical reactivity of cadmium diarsenide (CdAs2) towards ambient gases (oxygen and water) and air was assessed using density functional theory and experiments. The surface of CdAs2 forms an oxide skin, but its thickness remains nanometric even after one year in air. Therefore, future quantum devices based on Kramers-Weyl fermions could be stable in air, as the native oxide layer formed on chiral quantum materials actually protects their bulk features.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Pablo Casado Aguilar, Fabian Calleja, Chia-Nung Kuo, Chin Shan Lue, Barun Ghosh, Amit Agarwal, Antonio Politano, Amadeo L. Vazquez de Parga, Rodolfo Miranda, Jose Angel Silva-Guillen, Manuela Garnica
Summary: In this study, the surface of a freshly cleaved PtTe2 crystal was observed and its defects were identified using STM in combination with first-principles calculations. It was found that short-wavelength electron density oscillations exist around the defects, and Fourier transform analysis of the energy-dependent quasiparticle interference patterns confirmed the calculated joint density of states, demonstrating the unique properties of the PtTe2 surface. This highlights the importance of STM in understanding the surface of topological materials.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gloria Anemone, Amjad Al Taleb, Antonio Politano, Chia-Nung Kuo, Chin Shan Lue, Rodolfo Miranda, Daniel Farias
Summary: Understanding the thermal expansion coefficient is crucial for preventing poor device performance, especially in the case of 2D heterostructures made of multiple layers of different materials. Helium atom scattering is an effective method for directly measuring the surface thermal expansion coefficient of materials, providing important information for determining the surface lattice constant at different temperatures.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
