Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Jun-Wei Wang, Hamidreza Abadikhah, Fei-Hong Wang, Liang-Jun Yin, Xin Xu
Summary: Robust super-hydrophobic ceramic membranes were fabricated and employed for membrane distillation, showing excellent stability and durability in seawater desalination process.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiangjun Liao, Kunli Goh, Yuan Liao, Rong Wang, Abdul Ghani Razaqpur
Summary: This review comprehensively summarizes the mechanisms, preparation methods, and anti-wetting/fouling/scaling performance of bio-inspired super liquid-repellent membranes, aiming to provide readers with foundational knowledge and current progress, and inspire researchers to overcome future challenges.
ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Junghyun Kim, Eun-Tae Yun, Leonard Tijing, Ho Kyong Shon, Seungkwan Hong
Summary: By using a multi-layered single-wall carbon nanotube/polyvinylidene fluoride coating, electrical repulsion technology can effectively address fouling and wetting issues in membrane distillation, prolonging operation time and enabling sustainable membrane distillation under high recovery conditions.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianlong Ni, Jiuyang Lin, Lingxue Kong, Shuaifei Zhao
Summary: Membrane distillation (MD) is a promising technology for desalination and water purification, with recent advancements in omniphobic membranes to combat wetting and fouling issues. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the fundamentals, properties, advantages, applications, and engineering methods of omniphobic membranes. Future research on omniphobic membranes will focus on addressing challenges for stable and efficient MD operations.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hooman Chamani, Joanne Woloszyn, Takeshi Matsuura, Dipak Rana, Christopher Q. Lan
Summary: This paper reviews methods to detect pore wetting in membrane distillation (MD) and membrane parameters related to this phenomenon, as well as discussions on membrane preparation methods designed to reduce membrane wetting and process-based approaches for wetting mitigation.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Songchen Xie, Zhiguang Pang, Chunguang Hou, Ngie Hing Wong, Jaka Sunarso, Yuelian Peng
Summary: This study presents a method to develop an omniphobic membrane and demonstrates its excellent anti-scaling and anti-wetting properties. The PVDF-(EA/PFTS)-1:1 membrane shows high wetting resistance and omniphobicity, as well as excellent scaling resistance during concentration and reverse osmosis processes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jianghao Chang, Haiqing Chang, Yuchuan Meng, Huaxin Zhao, Mengzhe Lu, Ying Liang, Zhongsen Yan, Heng Liang
Summary: This study evaluated membrane wetting caused by different surfactants in DCMD process and systematically assessed the recovery of membrane hydrophobicity through water washing and drying. The results showed variations in wetting rates and degrees induced by different surfactants, with good recovery of hydrophobicity for membranes wetted by SDS and CTAB after cleaning, while the recovery effect was not effective for membranes wetted by Tween 20.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jianghao Chang, Haiqing Chang, Yuchuan Meng, Huaxin Zhao, Mengzhe Lu, Ying Liang, Zhongsen Yan, Heng Liang
Summary: This study evaluated the membrane wetting caused by different surfactants in direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) process and assessed the hydrophobicity recovery of the wetted membranes through washing and drying. The results showed that the membranes wetted by SDS and CTAB exhibited good hydrophobicity recovery, while the membranes wetted by Tween 20 showed poor recovery. In addition, soaking the membranes wetted by Tween 20 in CTAB before washing and drying improved the hydrophobicity recovery.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wan Aisyah Fadilah Wae AbdulKadir, Abdul Latif Ahmad, Ooi Boon Seng
Summary: The study introduces the use of halloysite nanotubes (HNT) to synthesize a hydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane, which has shown enhanced water contact angle and liquid entry pressure. The PVDF membrane with functionalized HNTs exhibited improved membrane performance, anti-wetting properties, and anti-fouling effect in direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) process.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tianyi Zhang, Stephanie Laborie, Corinne Cabassud
Summary: This study adapts a previously established optical method for the in operando detection of wetting in membrane distillation to develop a method for the detection and quantification of wetting in desalination. The method can detect variations in light intensity and define wetting indicators for both local and global analysis of the membrane area. It can establish a wetting cartography at the local scale and visualize the wetting front and its displacement over time.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shuang Zhang, Shuai Liang, Yifan Gao, Yang Wu, Xia Huang
Summary: This study proposes a novel nonpolar super-aligned carbon nanotube (SACNT) membrane and prepares three types of membranes by controlling the number of stacked layers. The SACNT membranes exhibit smoother and more uniform structures compared to commercial membranes, and they achieve higher selectivity and comparable or higher permeability. Furthermore, the SACNT membranes show superior separation performance in various applications such as wastewater treatment, fouling inhibition, and oil/water separation.
FRONTIERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jialing Song, Qian Deng, Manhong Huang, Zhuang Kong
Summary: In this study, nanofiber membranes were fabricated using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PcH) by electrospinning. The heat-press treatment improved mechanical strength and liquid entry pressure of the membranes, while the incorporation of CNTs enhanced hydrophobicity and mechanical strength. The nanofiber membranes showed high potential for membrane distillation (MD) application with high salt rejection efficiencies and dye removal rates exceeding 99.99%.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fei Han, Jiayue Mao, Kai Wang
Summary: In this study, carbon nanotube-based electroactive membranes were prepared and used in a membrane distillation system. By optimizing system configuration and employing electrochemical anti-scaling methods, the flux was increased and the scaling of silicates and sulfates was mitigated. These findings are of great significance for inorganic scaling control in conductive heating vacuum membrane distillation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Najib Meftah Almukhtar Omar, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Zhong Sheng Tai, Ahmed Omar Aswaye Amhamed, Erna Yuliwati, Mohd Hafiz Puteh, Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan, Mukhlis A. Rahman, Juhana Jaafar, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail
Summary: This study successfully modified the surface of hydrophilic mullite-stainless steel hollow fibre membranes to omniphobic properties. The prepared membranes exhibited superior characteristics compared to other reported membranes, including higher roughness, liquid entry pressure, and enhanced liquid repellence and contact angles towards different liquids.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Cheng Lei, Jinlong Han, Tengyu Cui, Weifeng Cao, Yinhua Wan, Haoli Zhou, Fei Shen
Summary: Conventional membrane distillation (MD) membranes are often hindered by severe membrane fouling and wetting. In this study, a modified interfacial polymerization (mIP) approach was proposed to fabricate Janus membranes with rapid and robust MD performance. The as-fabricated Janus membrane showed significantly improved flux and resistance to fouling and wetting compared to the unmodified membrane.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jinchen Cao, Lang Liu, Chao Liu, Chao He
Summary: Molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the phase change mechanisms of paraffin wax in crude oil. It was observed that in the absence of a pour point depressant, paraffin crystals formed tangled three-dimensional networks that are difficult to dissolve in the oil phase. The viscosity and phase transition temperature of the system increased with the chain length of paraffin molecules. The addition of a pour point depressant prevented the formation of insoluble networks and resulted in homogeneously distributed paraffin crystals with lower viscosity and phase transition point.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jiasheng Song, Lang Liu, Chao Liu, Xuechao Gao
Summary: The lattice flexibility of zeolite significantly affects the transport diffusion of gases such as CH4, Ar and H2, with a pore breathing effect leading to enhanced interfacial resistance for CH4 and Ar but negligible impact on H2. The diffusivities of gases increase with zeolite thickness and reach constant values after critical thicknesses, emphasizing the dominant role of interfacial resistance for larger molecules. Loading dependency on interfacial resistances and critical thicknesses varies for CH4, Ar and H2, highlighting the importance of fluid-fluid interactions.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Minyuan Han, Ruixue Zhao, Jianchao Shi, Xiaobo Li, Daoling He, Lang Liu, Le Han
Summary: This study investigates a hybrid process of membrane distillation (MD) and sulfate radical (SO4-) based advanced oxidation process (AOP) via peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation to mitigate fouling/wetting of hydrophobic membranes. Experimental results demonstrate that the hybrid process effectively alleviates membrane wetting and permeate flux decline compared to the standalone MD process. Higher PDS concentration and feed temperature further enhance the mitigation of membrane wetting. Qualitative characterization using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirms that both types of hydrophobic membranes maintain their hydrophobicity in the presence of PDS activation, supporting the initial hypothesis.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wenyu Xiang, Jingmei Yao, Svetlozar Velizarov, Le Han
Summary: Organic fouling is a major issue in ion-exchange membrane electrochemical systems. This study investigates the fouling of anion-exchange membranes by four different organic solutes, and finds that the electronegativity and hydrophobicity of the solutes have the greatest impact on membrane fouling.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jiasheng Song, Lang Liu, Ye Hong
Summary: This study investigates the effects of gas species and loadings on the transport diffusion in MOF-5 using equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that the diffusivities of CH4 and CO2 increase with the thickness of MOF-5 and with temperature. CO2 has a higher energy barrier than CH4 due to stronger sorbate-solid interactions and larger sorbate inertia. The critical membrane thickness for CO2 is nearly twice as much as that for CH4, highlighting the importance of interfacial resistance. The simulations provide insights into gas transport in nano-porous media and the design of nano-porous membranes.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Liyong Xin, Wei Yu, Chao Liu, Lang Liu, Shukun Wang, Xiaoxiao Li, Yu Liu
Summary: Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is an effective method for utilizing low-grade energy, and R1234yf is a promising working fluid for ORC due to its low global warming potential (GWP). However, the weak thermal stability of R1234yf has limited its application in ORC, highlighting the need to find a way to prevent its pyrolysis. In this study, a systematic investigation of the mechanism of R134a affecting the thermal stability of R1234yf in ORC was carried out. Experimental results showed that the pyrolysis temperature of R513A (R1234yf/R134a) was in the range of 190-210 degrees C. Additionally, simulations and calculations were performed to understand the pyrolysis process of R1234yf, R134a, and R513A, revealing the main reaction pathways involved.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiasheng Song, Zhuangying Zhu, Lang Liu
Summary: Supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO(2)) has the potential to displace shale oil due to its high solubility and low surface tension and viscosity. This study provides detailed insights into the displacing process, showing that the rapid transportation of CO2 molecules enhances hexane diffusion and improves oil recovery efficiency.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Cong Chen, Zhinan Dai, Yifan Li, Qin Zeng, Yang Yu, Xin Wang, Changyong Zhang, Le Han
Summary: This study proposes a novel membrane stripping process by integrating a cation exchange membrane (CEM) in alkali-driven Donnan dialysis prior to hydrophobic gas permeable membranes (GPMs) for efficient ammonia recovery. The new process significantly mitigates membrane fouling and shows potential for ammonia recovery from high-strength complex streams.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuting Wang, Haoquan Zhang, Ruixue Zhao, Die Wang, Lu Zhou, Le Han
Summary: In this study, a superhydrophobic membrane with a carbon nanotube coating layer was successfully developed and applied for the treatment of shale gas wastewater. The modified membrane showed superior water recovery and concentration rate compared to the commercial PVDF membrane.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiasheng Song, Lang Liu, Shouyin Cai
Summary: Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations were used to investigate the desalination mechanisms of three monovalent salt solutions in FAU zeolites, considering the effects of driving pressure and temperature. The study found that the rejection and flux of the solutions are influenced by pressure and temperature, and the purification properties vary among different cation ions. The research provides fundamental insights into FAU zeolite purification and contributes to the optimal design of nanoporous medium membranes for water desalination.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mingxiang Liu, Lei Zhang, Le Han, Ying Zhang, Chengjun Gu, Jianbo Huang
Summary: In this study, the effects of working pressure, temperature, pH value, initial concentration, and the coexistence of sodium alginate (SA) and calcium ions on removing perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) using a self-made hyaluronic acid-interlayered thin-film composite nanofiltration membrane (HA-TFCiNFM) were investigated. The study found that the presence of SA and calcium ions increased the retention rate of PFHxS and the membrane fouling degree. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to explore the mechanisms of membrane separation and fouling, and weak interactions were identified as the main mechanisms controlling membrane fouling.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mingxiang Liu, Lei Zhang, Le Han, Caihua Mei, Changwen Xu, Rui Yuan, Chunxia Geng
Summary: Heat-activated persulfate preoxidation was used to mitigate membrane fouling in membrane distillation. The study investigated the degradation efficiency of preoxidation and found that the removal rates of organic contaminants improved with increased PMS dose and activation temperature. Surprisingly, the oxidation products of NOM caused more fouling despite the reduction in the amount of NOM.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuanyuan Yu, Qin Zeng, Haoquan Zhang, Maoqin Ao, Jingmei Yao, Chun Yang, Svetlozar Velizarov, Le Han
Summary: A novel CEM with a GO-PEI crosslinked layer was designed to achieve efficient NH4+-selective separation. The GO-PEI (20) membrane exhibited high NH4+ transport rate and low Mg2+ transport rate in single-salt solution tests, and maintained good separation performance and structural stability in mixed salt solution tests. This facile surface charge modulation approach provides a promising avenue for achieving efficient NH4+-selective separation by modified CEMs.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhinan Dai, Cong Chen, Yifan Li, Haoquan Zhang, Jingmei Yao, Mariana Rodrigues, Philipp Kuntke, Le Han
Summary: A membrane-based hybrid process of the Donnan dialysis-electrodialysis process (DD-ED) was proposed for sustainable and efficient ammonia recovery. The DD process removes the majority of ammonia in wastewater by creating a concentration gradient across the cation exchange membrane, while the ED process driven by solar energy further removes ammonia and replenishes OH-. The hybrid DD-ED process achieved high ammonia removal efficiency, driving cation recovery efficiency, and reduced OH- loss compared to standalone DD.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qibin Xu, Yunqian Song, Ying Wang, Ziheng Song, Yin Liu, Hongguang Guo, Le Han, Chun Zhao
Summary: In this study, a carbon nanotube cross-linked polypyrrole ultrafiltration membrane was used as the cathode and an electro-activated persulfate methodology was employed to improve filtration performance. The E-PMS process showed better micropollutant removal and antifouling performance compared to the E-PDS process. The results suggest that the E-PMS process is more suitable for improving membrane filtration performance targeting a variety of foulants.
ACS ES&T ENGINEERING
(2023)