Article
Engineering, Chemical
Hui-Qian Huo, Yi-Fang Mi, Xin Yang, Hong-Hao Lu, Yan-Li Ji, Yong Zhou, Cong-Jie Gao
Summary: A biomimetic nanoparticle redox strategy was proposed to integrate multiple functional nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles into polyamide thin film nanocomposite reverse osmosis membranes, improving water permeance and anti-fouling/anti-microbial properties.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Guo-Rong Xu, Yu-Lei Xing, Min Wang, Zi-Han An, He-Li Zhao, Ke Xu, Chun-Hua Qi, Chen Yang, Seeram Ramakrishna, Qian Liu
Summary: Increasing population and industrial development have led to a global freshwater shortage crisis. Desalination, particularly membrane-based desalination technology, has proven to be an effective solution. However, the current membranes used in desalination face challenges such as low permeation, low selectivity, wetting, and internal polarization. Therefore, researchers are exploring more advanced membranes, and electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENMs) show promise due to their versatility and ability to address these membrane challenges. In this review, we discuss the application of ENMs in different membrane desalination processes and propose future directions for the development of advanced membranes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi Di Yuan, Xiaomei Zhang, Ziqi Yang, Dan Zhao
Summary: We present the antifouling properties of thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes containing two water-stable metal-organic cages (MOCs). These MOC-containing TFN membranes exhibit excellent resistance to positively-charged foulants and protein (BSA), with up to 99.7% water permeability retention and 100% water permeability recovery.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shuangqiao Han, Junyong Zhu, Adam A. Uliana, Dongyang Li, Yatao Zhang, Lin Zhang, Yong Wang, Tao He, Menachem Elimelech
Summary: This study reports the engineering of thin microporous membranes using microporous organic nanotubes (MONs) derived from covalent organic frameworks through interfacial polymerization. By incorporating a highly porous and interpenetrated MON layer on the membrane, polyamide membranes with Turing structure, enhanced microporosity, and reduced thickness were formed. The modified MON membranes exhibited remarkable water permeability and high retention of boron and phosphorus under alkaline conditions. Molecular simulations showed that the introduction of MONs reduced amine molecule diffusion and increased membrane porosity and water molecule density around the membrane pores. This study provides new insights into creating high-permeability membranes for precise nanofiltration.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Feng-Tao Zheng, Jianbo Qu, Zhou Sun
Summary: Bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTESE) nanoparticles were incorporated into aromatic polyamide (PA) membranes via in-situ polymerization to prepare BTESE nanocomposite PA (BTESE-TFN) membranes for reverse osmosis. The BTESE nanoparticles increased surface roughness, hydrophilicity, and changed the structure of the PA membranes, leading to improved salt rejection and water flux. Modification of organic bridged groups in the BTESE showed great potential to further enhance the water flux and durability of the BTESE-TFN membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mojtaba Amini, Mohammad Nikkhoo, Mojtaba Bagherzadeh, Mohammad Mahdi Ahadian, Arshad Bayrami, Hadi Naslhajian, Mohammad Hasanzadeh Karamjavan
Summary: A novel thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane modified by MoS2@Zeolite X nanocomposite was used for desalination by the forward osmosis (FO) method. The incorporation of MoS2@Zeolite X nanocomposite particles into the polyamide selective layer of the TFN membrane improved its desalination performance and antifouling properties. The TFN-MZ(2) membrane, containing 0.01wt% MoS2@Zeolite X, showed the highest water flux and antifouling tendency among the membranes tested.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Feng Li, Theo Dongyu Liu, Silijia Xie, Jian Guan, Sui Zhang
Summary: The synthesized Cu-THQ MOF showed structural stability and enhanced hydrophilicity when incorporated into polyamide layers, leading to TFN membranes that broke the permeability-selectivity tradeoff by increasing water permeance and slightly enhancing salt rejection. Through different chemical and morphological characterizations, the underlying mechanism was probed, and the membranes also demonstrated improved tolerance to chlorine oxidation. With their excellent stability, the Cu-THQ MOF-based membranes further showed impressive performance in organic solvent nanofiltration involving dimethylformamide.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xipeng Song, Shuangshuang Li, Wensheng Zhang, Hongpeng Liu, Jingyu Jiang, Chunhua Zhang
Summary: This study reports the construction of highly efficient partially aligned artificial water channels using chopped single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The results demonstrate that only semi-oriented carbon nanotubes along the transmembrane direction can achieve high water permeance. The modification of the SWNTs with a polydopamine (PDA) coating improves the sieving ability and enhances the structural stability of the membrane. The resulting RO membrane exhibits extraordinary separation performance.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dian Zhang, Masakoto Kanezashi, Toshinori Tsuru, Kazuki Yamamoto, Takahiro Gunji, Yohei Adachi, Joji Ohshita
Summary: Polysilsesquioxane (PSQ) reverse osmosis membranes were prepared by copolymerizing 3-glycidyloxypropyl-POSS (GPOSS) and bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]amine (BTESPA), exhibiting high NaCl rejection, good heat resistance, and chlorine resistance. The introduction of GPOSS-derived units significantly improved NaCl rejection and liquid permeability, achieving NaCl rejection of approximately 99% and liquid permeability of 5.5 x 10-13 m/s center dot Pa. These PSQ membranes with GPOSS-derived units showed excellent heat resistance up to 100 degrees C and favorable resistance to chlorine, with no obvious performance change observed after exposure to NaOCl aqueous solution (1000 ppm) for 10 h.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Amira S. Mohammed Ali, Moataz M. Soliman, Sherif H. Kandil, Shaker Ebrahim, Marwa Khalil
Summary: In this study, cellulose acetate (CA) silica-based nanocomposite membranes were fabricated using the dry-wet phase inversion procedure for water desalination. The effects of SNPs and MSNPs on the properties and performance of the CA membrane were investigated. The fabricated nanocomposite membranes exhibited hydrophilic surface properties and showed enhanced water flux by adding SNPs and MSNPs.
JOURNAL OF MATERIOMICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yanyi Wang, Xianze Meng, Hui Wu, Shengjun Bian, Yunbo Tong, Congjie Gao, Guiru Zhu
Summary: In this study, carboxyl group-functionalized carbon nanospheres (CNs-COOH) and silver-coated products (CNs-COOH/Ag) were successfully used to fabricate thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes via interfacial polymerization. The modified TFN membranes showed significantly enhanced permeability and antifouling performances, with the water fluxes and NaCl rejection exceeding those of traditional TFC membranes. The use of functionalized carbon NPs as nanofillers improved the practical performance of TFN membranes for reverse osmosis.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Chen Cheng, Xiaofei Huang, Prakhar Prakash, Satish Chilekar, Rich Franks
Summary: This article presents an experimental study using high temperature reverse osmosis membranes to treat produced water, demonstrating high boron rejection and stable rejection rates for boron and TDS at high temperatures. The calibrated membrane software was used for system-level design, showing good alignment with lab test results.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Huaigang Qi, Yu Peng, Xinghua Lv, Fangyi Xu, Baowei Su, Lihui Han
Summary: In this study, an interlayer of ultra-thin and hydrophilic two-dimensional Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) nanomaterial was constructed on a commercial polysulfone (PSf) substrate surface. This COFs interlayer successfully adjusted the interfacial polymerization (IP) process, helping to fabricate a thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) reverse osmosis (RO) membrane with excellent performance. Further modification with an ultra-low concentration Tp aqueous solution improved the water permeance and NaCl rejection of the TFN RO membrane.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Safoura Bakhodaye Dehghanpour, Fahimeh Parvizian, Vahid Vatanpour
Summary: The study focuses on improving the desalination performance of polyamide membranes by introducing hydrophilic nanoparticles. Surface analysis and performance testing show that the modified membranes have smoother surfaces, better fouling resistance, increased water flux, and improved rejection of NaCl.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jaewon Lee, Yeojin Shin, Chanhee Boo, Seungkwan Hong
Summary: Various industrial activities generate highly acidic wastewaters, posing a particular concern due to their large volume, environmental impact, and limited disposal options. Nanofiltration (NF) has the potential to provide energy-, cost-, and space-effective solutions for wastewater treatment at industrial sites.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Hiroshi Jinnai, Toru Noguchi, Akemi Kumagai, Morinobu Endo, Akira Isogai
Summary: Suitable mixing of nanocellulose can improve the tensile properties of rubber composite sheets. Transmission electron microscopy observations showed that the composite sheets were composed of rubber/nanocellulose clusters, with voids forming inside the clusters and propagating to form cracks, which then fused with other voids or cracks.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ryan Selhorst, Zhuohang Yu, David Moore, Jie Jiang, Michael A. Susner, Nicholas R. Glavin, Ruth Pachter, Mauricio Terrones, Benji Maruyama, Rahul Rao
Summary: Layered Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDs) are important materials with a diverse range of optoelectronic properties. This study investigates the spatial tailoring of TMDs through electron-beam patterning, achieving high resolution and demonstrating potential for nanoscale functionalization. The modulated properties were found to be dependent on various parameters, and the results were confirmed through spectroscopic analysis and density functional theory modeling. This research provides a robust method for property modulation and functionalization of TMDs at the nanoscale.
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Physical
Nianjun Yang, Mauricio Terrones
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Min Fu, Wei Chen, Yu Lei, Hao Yu, Yuxiao Lin, Mauricio Terrones
Summary: A general biomimetic mineralization synthetic strategy was proposed to synthesize ferrite quantum dot/graphene heterostructures. The optimized heterostructure exhibited exceptional capacitance and cycling performance, indicating its potential as advanced electrode materials for supercapacitors.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Aaron Morelos-Gomez, Kunio Kondo, Kazuhiro Omori, Yuuki Kamei, Masumi Kuritani, Taiki Irwansyah, Taiki L. Yokokawa, Juan Fajardo-Diaz, Rodolfo Cruz-Silva, Morinobu Endo
Summary: This study investigated the use of fullerene as an additive for lubricant oils to extend their operational lifetime. The addition of toluene increased the ratio of C-60/C-70 and cluster size. Results showed that fullerene addition reduced the oxidation rate and friction coefficient, indicating higher antioxidation. Thus, fullerenes could be a promising additive for lubricant oils.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Katherine L. Thompson, Rowan R. Katzbaer, Mauricio Terrones, Raymond E. Schaak
Summary: Ion exchange reactions of colloidal nanoparticles allow for modification of composition while maintaining morphology and crystal structure, which is crucial for tuning properties and producing otherwise inaccessible materials. In this study, tellurium anion exchange of copper selenide nanoparticles was conducted, resulting in the formation of solid solutions with tunable compositions. The post-exchange reactivity of the solid solution nanoparticles, including transformation of composition, surface chemistry, and colloidal dispersibility, was observed due to the apparent metastability of the product.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jie Fang, Suichu Huang, Kan Yao, Tianyi Zhang, Mauricio Terrones, Wentao Huang, Yunlu Pan, Yuebing Zheng
Summary: Tunable exciton-photon couplings have been demonstrated in monolayer TMDs, showing strong bright-exciton-photon couplings and revealing the novel interactions between bright and dark exciton-photon hybrids in a single optical cavity. The waveguide mode can be tuned in wavelengths by controlling the spacer thickness, and the relative contribution from the antenna mode coupled with dark excitons can be dynamically enlarged by increasing the excitation angle. This study opens new possibilities in tunable QED and provides insights into the coexistence of bright and dark exciton-photon couplings.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Andres Castro-Beltran, Clemente G. Alvarado-Beltran, Jesus F. Lara-Sanchez, Wencel de la Cruz, Felipe F. Castillon-Barraza, Rodolfo Cruz-Silva
Summary: The adhesion of polypyrrole to indium-tin oxide electrodes was enhanced by adding pre-hydrolyzed alkoxysilanes to the electrodeposition media. The pyrrole oxidation and film growth rates were investigated by potentiostatic polymerization in acidic media. The morphology and thickness of the films were characterized using contact profilometry and surface-scanning electron microscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to analyze the bulk and surface semiquantitative chemical composition. Scotch-tape adhesion test revealed a significant improvement in adhesion with both alkoxysilanes, suggesting the formation of siloxane material and in situ surface modification of the transparent metal oxide electrode.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pouria Fattahi, Yin-Ting Yeh, Tiankai Zhao, Mousa Younesi, Changjin Huang, Mauricio Terrones, Siyang Zheng, Justin L. Brown, Dan Dongeun Huh, Sulin Zhang, Peter J. Butler
Summary: Endothelial cells (ECs) exhibit different shapes and mechanical properties depending on the flow in their environment, and these factors affect the uptake of therapeutic nanoparticles (NPs). Cells with elongated shape and higher stiffness show higher uptake of NPs, while those with polygonal shape and lower stiffness show lower uptake. The elongated cells in areas of high laminar shear exhibit less NP uptake compared to nonelongated cells in chaotic, lower shear areas. These findings suggest that manipulating the morphology and mechanical properties of ECs can enhance the uptake of therapeutic NPs for preventing atherosclerosis.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shannon McGee, Andres Fest, Cierra Chandler, Nabila N. Nova, Yu Lei, James Goff, Susan B. Sinnott, Ismaila Dabo, Mauricio Terrones, Lauren D. Zarzar
Summary: In this study, we synthesized multimetal catalysts using a laser synthesis method and found that adding a small amount of chromium to the catalyst can enhance the hydrogen evolution efficiency. This research provides new insights for future electrocatalytic design.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aaryan Oberoi, Ying Han, Sergei P. Stepanoff, Andrew Pannone, Yongwen Sun, Yu-Chuan Lin, Chen Chen, Jeffrey R. Shallenberger, Da Zhou, Mauricio Terrones, Joan M. Redwing, Joshua A. Robinson, Douglas E. Wolfe, Yang Yang, Saptarshi Das
Summary: This study presents a three-pronged approach to achieve high-performance p-type FETs based on synthetic WSe2, including contact engineering, channel length scaling, and monolayer doping. By using Pd as the contact metal and monolayer WOxSey as the p-type dopant, the ON-state performance of the FETs was significantly improved and the contact resistance was reduced.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
J. L. Fajardo-Diaz, K. Takeuchi, A. Morelos-Gomez, R. Cruz-Silva, A. Yamanaka, S. Tejima, K. Izu, S. Saito, I. Ito, J. Maeda, M. Endo
Summary: Nanocomposite membranes based on CNTs and CNFs integrated into a PA membrane showed high boron rejection and permeation. The chemical structure and surface morphology played significant roles in boron rejection, while pore structure affected both sodium chloride and boron rejections. Molecular dynamic simulations revealed that CNF and CNT structures suppressed hydrogen bonding between PA matrix and boric acid, negatively affecting diffusion and rejection. These findings contribute to a better understanding of boron rejection mechanisms and the development of PA membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jie Fang, Kan Yao, Mingsong Wang, Zhuohang Yu, Tianyi Zhang, Taizhi Jiang, Suichu Huang, Brian A. Korgel, Mauricio Terrones, Andrea Alu, Yuebing Zheng
Summary: In this study, we achieved on-demand exciton-polariton emission from a wide range of TMDs at room temperature by hybridizing excitons with broadband Mie resonances. The system demonstrated stable polaritonic photoluminescence and multiple Rabi splittings.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Gowtham Polumati, Barbara A. Muniz Martinez, Chandra Sekhar Reddy Kolli, Venkatarao Selamneni, Mario Flores Salazar, David Emanuel Sanchez, Andres Fest Carreno, Mauricio Terrones, Andres De Luna Bugallo, Parikshit Sahatiya
Summary: This work demonstrates the band-type engineering and charge transport mechanism of vertically stacked monolayers of MoS2-ReS2 under visible light illumination. The study investigates the impact of stacking order on band alignment and validates the formation of the vertically stacked heterostructure. The results show the significant role of stacking configuration in the optoelectronic properties.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Victor Carozo, Bruno R. Carvalho, Syed Hamza Safeer, Leandro Seixas, Pedro Venezuela, Mauricio Terrones
Summary: We investigated the electronic and phonon properties of few-layered Bi2Te3 systems with different layer thicknesses using Raman spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. The main Raman modes showed frequency dispersion and changes in intensity and lineshape with the variation of layer thickness and excitation energy. Resonant Raman conditions were reached for certain thicknesses due to van Hove singularities at the electronic density of states. Our results demonstrate the significant influence of layer numbers on the Raman scattering mechanics in Bi2Te3 systems.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2023)