Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jenny Nambikkattu, Noel Jacob Kaleekkal
Summary: Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) is a versatile thermal-driven membrane separation technique used for seawater distillation and water recovery. The study successfully fabricated robust hydrophobic PVDF-co-HFP membranes with excellent anti-wetting and anti-fouling properties through a central composite design and a dual modification strategy. These membranes exhibited high water contact angle, high salt rejection, stable permeate flux, and total organic carbon rejection, making them suitable for long-term seawater desalination.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yuchuan Meng, Qiao Zhong, Yujie Liu, Zhongsen Yan, Ying Liang, Haiqing Chang, Heng Liang, Radisav D. Vidic
Summary: This study aimed to find an effective cleaning method for organic fouling in membrane distillation (MD). The fouling characteristics of humic acid (HA), sodium alginate (SA), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated, along with the cleaning efficiency of different flushing methods. The results showed that the presence of calcium ions had a varying effect on fouling for different organics. NaOH flushing resulted in irreversible fouling, while DI water flushing showed good recovery for SA-induced fouling.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Bang Li, Tengfei Tian, Xia Zhang, Changrui Han, Yanbin Yun, Xinfeng Zhu, Junfeng Wu
Summary: In this study, we developed a facile strategy for fabricating an amphiphobic PVDF membrane with a slippery surface, which showed excellent anti-fouling and anti-wetting properties in membrane distillation.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jianhua Zhang, Wenli Qin, Derrick Ng, Xiaosheng Ji, Xiaozhuan Zhang, Ying Ye, Zongli Xie
Summary: This study investigated the fouling mechanism of calcium phosphate on membranes in direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) using a calcium phosphate saturated feed. It was found that increasing temperature and turbulence could enhance the calcium phosphate fouling, while low pH could suppress membrane fouling. Adjusting the suspension's pH to as low as 4 effectively inhibited membrane fouling in the studied water recovery range. Calcium phosphate fouling resulted in flux decline and membrane wetting due to the lowering of membrane hydrophobicity.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jingjing Liu, Ahmed K. Albdoor, Wenye Lin, Faisal Hai, Zhenjun Ma
Summary: Increasing feed temperature and cross flow velocity can exacerbate membrane fouling, higher feed temperature can enhance DCMD regeneration capacity but reduce membrane hydrophobicity, cleaning the membrane can effectively alleviate membrane fouling but also increase the risk of membrane wetting.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Prexa Shah, Youmin Hou, Hans-Juergen Butt, Michael Kappl
Summary: Membrane distillation (MD) is an important technique for brine desalination and wastewater treatment. Researchers have found that depositing a layer of polysiloxane nanofilaments on microporous membranes can increase the distillation rate and reduce membrane wetting and fouling. Compared to conventional hydrophobic membranes, these multiscale porous membranes exhibit superior fouling resistance and achieve higher distillation flux without the use of fluorinated compounds.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ali Sallakh Niknejad, Saeed Bazgir, Ali Kargari
Summary: A practical, high-productive and superhydrophobic nanofibrous membrane was introduced for membrane distillation process, demonstrating excellent performance in DCMD evaluation. The nanofibrous PMMA membrane showed promising characteristics and performance for seawater desalination.
Article
Polymer Science
Yuanlu Xu, Yi Yang, Menghan Sun, Xinfei Fan, Chengwen Song, Ping Tao, Mihua Shao
Summary: The research utilized direct contact membrane distillation with a superhydrophobic membrane to desalinate high salinity RO brine, demonstrating excellent performance in maintaining stable flux and high salt rejection rate. The SM-DCMD system showed outstanding stability and efficiency in treating practical reverse osmosis brine, making it a promising candidate for high-performance desalination applications.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Li Liu, Zechun Xiao, Yongjie Liu, Xuemei Li, Huabing Yin, Alexey Volkov, Tao He
Summary: Membrane distillation technology has great potential in desalinating water streams, but fouling and scaling remain major challenges. Recent research has proposed a new understanding based on hydrodynamics, providing explanations and analysis frameworks for the fouling resistance of superhydrophobic and omniphobic membranes, offering new insights for addressing the challenges in membrane distillation technology.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Bing Sun, Mengyuan Wu, Huange Zhen, Yuandong Jia, Peiyu Li, Zhijie Yuan, Xiangcun Li, Gaohong He, Xiaobin Jiang
Summary: This study proposes a controllable method for fabricating tailor-made MD membranes by in situ growth of SiO2 nanoparticles on the membrane surface. The modified membranes, with a hybrid macro/micro-structure, exhibit super hydrophobicity and excellent wetting resistance, resulting in high salt rejection during VMD process.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhewei Zhang, S. Shardul Wadekar, R. Omkar Lokare, D. Radisav Vidic
Summary: The impact of calcium scaling is affected by both feed salinity and separation driving force, and is much less severe in thermal than pressure driven membrane processes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Fida Tibi, Amine Charfi, Jinwoo Cho, Jeonghwan Kim
Summary: This study aimed to observe the interactive effects of ammonium and sodium alginate on rejection efficiency and organic fouling in direct contact membrane distillation process. Increasing feed temperature reduced fouling rate, while adding ammonium chloride decreased the rejection efficiency of total organic carbon. Internal fouling caused by pore constriction was more dominant with the addition of ammonium into SA solution, especially at low solution pH.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nurshaun Sreedhar, Mahendra Kumar, Samar Al Jitan, Navya Thomas, Giovanni Palmisano, Hassan A. Arafat
Summary: A novel 3D printed photocatalytic feed spacer was developed for membrane-based water and wastewater filtration systems, with the ability to degrade pollutants, clean the membrane, and achieve high flux recovery ratios for organic foulants, demonstrating a shift towards a spacer-centered photocatalytic membrane system approach.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yongsun Jang, Jung-Gil Lee, Luca Fortunato, Jieun Lee, Yejin Lee, Alicia Kyoungjin An, Noreddine Ghaffour, Sangho Lee, Sanghyun Jeong
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of colloidal silica fouling on membrane distillation, finding that silica particle size, feed temperature, salinity, and flow rate all affect fouling formation. Smaller silica particles result in higher flux decline and denser fouling. Fouling is minimized at the optimal flow rate, while salinity has little effect on fouling.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Bang Li, Yanbin Yun, Guicheng Liu, Chunli Li, Xinyang Li, Muhammad Hilal, Woochul Yang, Manxiang Wang
Summary: The study found that softening pre-treatment can effectively improve the water reclamation performance of FGDW direct contact membrane distillation and reduce membrane fouling. The pre-treatment can efficiently remove heavy ions and prevent membrane fouling, achieving high salt and organic matter rejection rates.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Syed Taj Ud Din, Hankyu Lee, Woochul Yang
Summary: The synthesis of a 3D hierarchical Bi3O4Cl/Bi5O7I (BOC/BOI) heterostructure for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine-B (RhB) dye and Bisphenol-A (BPA) pollutant under visible light was reported in this study. The BOC/BOI heterostructure exhibited significantly higher degradation efficiencies compared to bare BOC and BOI samples, utilizing O-center dot(2)- and (OH)-O-center dot radicals for RhB and BPA degradation and forming a Z-scheme heterojunction for enhanced electron-hole pair separation and transport.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dong Jin Lee, Ganesan Mohan Kumar, Youjoong Kim, Woochul Yang, Deuk Young Kim, Tae Won Kang, Pugazhendi Ilanchezhiyan
Summary: High crystalline MoO3 nanosheets were obtained through a vapor phase epitaxy method and used to fabricate a photodetector with striking photoresponse. Introducing CsPbBr3 quantum dots significantly enhanced the photocurrent of MoO3 devices, leading to high responsivity and broad spectral response from UV to visible light. The study suggests that CsPbBr3 QDs/MoO3 hybrids hold promise for broad band photodetectors and other optoelectronic devices.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Muhammad Hilal, Woochul Yang
Summary: In this study, a CoO/Co-doped ZnO heterostructure was formed on a flexible PET substrate at low temperatures through an in situ technique. The heterostructure showed reduced charge transfer resistance, improved corrosion resistance, increased active sites, and enhanced flexibility, making it suitable for highly sensitive, chemically stable, and flexible pH and glucose sensors.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kai Yang, Hao Fu, Yixue Duan, Manxiang Wang, Minh Xuan Tran, Joong Kee Lee, Woochul Yang, Guicheng Liu
Summary: 47 nm-sized ZnS@NCs were successfully synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal process, and the covalent bonds between the ZnS core and elastic carbon shell significantly improved the mechanical and chemical stabilities of ZnS@NC. ZnS@NC exhibited high reversible capacity and superior rate performance, and this synthesis strategy was also successfully applied to the synthesis of other TMS@NCs.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Weiwei Han, Lingyun Xiong, Manxiang Wang, Woncheol Seo, Yuzhen Liu, Syed Taj Ud Din, Woochul Yang, Guicheng Liu
Summary: By using an in-situ electrochemical induction technique to fabricate a ZnSe interface layer on the zinc surface, the zinc anode is endowed with high hydrophilicity and a low nucleation energy barrier, effectively alleviating dendritic growth and side reactions. This method shows promising potential for large-scale energy storage applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Il-Ho Ahn, Deuk Young Kim, Woochul Yang
Summary: Mobility spectrum analysis (MSA) is used to separate carrier density and mobility of majority and minority carriers in multicarrier semiconductors. In this study, p-GaAs layer is analyzed using MSA to demonstrate its application in defect analysis. Results show that the presence and peak position of defect state can be predicted by comparing the density ratio of minority and majority carriers. DLTS signals dominate around a specific temperature, consistent with the temperature-dependent generation-recombination and thermionic emission peaks.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Muhammad Hilal, Wanfeng Xie, Woochul Yang
Summary: A 3D straw-sheaf-like cobalt oxide was prepared without the assistance of template or surfactant using hydrothermal method and inert gas calcination. The material exhibited high crystallinity, large surface area, small pore size, and excellent electrochemical stability, making it suitable for non-enzymatic glucose oxidizing electrodes.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Weibin Zhang, Woochul Yang, Yingkai Liu, Zhiyong Liu, Fuchun Zhang
Summary: Thirteen thermally and environmentally stable Janus MA(2)Z(4) monolayers were identified through high-throughput calculations, with highly concentrated charge carriers and potential applications in electrode materials, optoelectronics, solar cells, and photocatalysis. These monolayers exhibit excellent conductivity, high light absorption, and good light transmittance, making them promising candidates for various applications.
FRONTIERS OF PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Weiwei Han, Hankyu Lee, Yuzhen Liu, Youjoong Kim, Huaqiang Chu, Guicheng Liu, Woochul Yang
Summary: In this study, a novel type of nanosized and functionalized graphene quantum dots (F-GQDs) are decorated on a zinc anode to improve the electrochemical performance. The F-GQDs can regulate the plating/stripping process of zinc and enhance the rate capability and long-term cycling performance when coupled with MnO2 cathodes.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lingyun Xiong, Youjoong Kim, Hao Fu, Weiwei Han, Woochul Yang, Guicheng Liu
Summary: This study successfully achieved reversible and uniform deposition of Zn metal by constructing F-doped carbon nanoparticles (FCNPs) on substrates through plasma-assisted surface modification. The FCNPs acted as nucleation assistors, improving Zn plating kinetics and resulting in uniform Zn deposition. Additionally, the ZnF2 solid electrolyte interface contributed to rapid mass transfer and enhanced Zn reversibility while suppressing side reactions. This ingenious surface modification broadens revolutionary methods for uniform metallic deposition and enables dendrite-free rechargeable battery systems.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhuohong Xie, Woncheol Seo, Syed Taj Ud Din, Hankyu Lee, Changchang Ma, Woochul Yang
Summary: Solar-driven CO2 conversion into chemical fuels using photocatalysts is a sustainable method for renewable energy. However, the low photocatalytic activity is limited by poor photoabsorption, low charge separation efficiency, and sluggish interfacial reaction. To address this issue, a mesh cladding structure of Sr-doped LaFeO3/Bi4O5Br2 photocatalyst with abundant surface oxygen vacancies (OVs) is developed. The optimized photocatalyst with appropriate Sr doping and BOB content shows a considerable methane generation, which is significantly higher than the pristine LFO.
MATERIALS TODAY ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lingyun Xiong, Hao Fu, Kai Yang, Ji Young Kim, Ren Ren, Joong Kee Lee, Woochul Yang, Guicheng Liu
Summary: A reversible heterogeneous electrode of Zn-nanocrystallites/polyvinyl-phosphonic acrylamide (Zn/PPAm) with fast electrochemical kinetics is designed to address the poor reversibility of Zn-metal anodes. The electrode utilizes phosphonic acid groups, hydrophobic carbon chains, and weak electron-donating amide groups to ensure structural reversibility, suppress side reactions, and promote Zn2+ transport. The heterostructure and Zn nanocrystallites further enhance electrochemical reactivity. The Zn/PPAm electrode exhibits excellent cycle reversibility and durability in symmetrical cells and fiber-shaped batteries.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hao Fu, Yuzhen Liu, Zhuohong Xie, Youjoong Kim, Ren Ren, Woochul Yang, Guicheng Liu
Summary: A Zn@SiC electrode with an Ohmic contact is reported, which exhibits excellent durability and enhanced electrode process kinetics, and plays a critical role in achieving high-performance aqueous Zn-metal batteries.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ling-Yun Xiong, You-Joong Kim, Won-Cheol Seo, Han-Kyu Lee, Woo-Chul Yang, Wan-Feng Xie
Summary: In this study, Co3O4/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite was successfully used as a modified electrochemical electrode for the detection of trace glucose. The Co3O4/rGO modified electrode exhibited high sensitivity, low detection limit, and fast response time, making it a promising candidate for practical electrochemical biosensors.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shu Yan, Shu-Zhe Zhang, Wan-Feng Xie, Ling-Yun Gai, Hui-Min Yuan, Ding Zhang, He Zhang, Xuhai Liu, Woochul Yang, Zong-Tao Chi
Summary: In2O3/ZnSnO3 cubic crystallite composites synthesized through hydrothermal and calcination processes exhibit significant ethanol sensing properties, making them a potential material for constructing high-performance ethanol sensors.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Arvin Sohrabi, Mousa Meratizaman, Shuli Liu
Summary: This paper simulates and discusses possible solutions to improve the economic and technical performances of a battery-less renewable energy-powered BWRO system under real climate conditions. The study finds that the photovoltaic-based system performs better in terms of specific energy consumption and unused energy ratio.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Chunlan Pan, Xiaoyin Hu, Vishal Goyal, Theyab R. Alsenani, Salem Alkhalaf, Tamim Alkhalifah, Fahad Alturise, Hamad Almujibah, H. Elhosiny Ali
Summary: This paper introduces a novel waste heat recovery method using the hot flue gas from a ship's engine to produce liquefied hydrogen while meeting the ship's air-conditioning requirement. A comprehensive feasibility assessment is conducted and an artificial neural network with a multiobjective grey wolf optimization method is used for optimization. The findings indicate the highest mean sensitivity index of the flash temperature and the best optimization scenario for exergy efficiency, CO2 emission reduction, and liquefied hydrogen cost.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Daniele Chinello, Jan Post, Louis C. P. M. de Smet
Summary: In this study, PVDF-based anion-exchange membranes were designed to selectively separate nitrate from chloride. Experimental data showed that increasing the concentration of PVDF enhanced nitrate transport but also increased the membrane electrical resistance. The selectivity of nitrate was found to be independent of the membrane thickness and mainly driven by the increased affinity between the anion and the membrane.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Umar Noor, Muhammad Fayyaz Farid, Ammara Sharif, Amna Saleem, Zubair Nabi, Muhammad Furqan Mughal, Kiran Abbas, Toheed Ahmed
Summary: Global water scarcity is increasing, and water desalination is an important solution. Multifunctional advanced materials, such as membrane materials and solar-driven desalination, play a crucial role in water desalination. Additionally, these materials can be used for water purification, wastewater treatment, and pollutant elimination.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Emrah Gumus
Summary: With growing global concerns about climate change and environmental impacts, the use of nuclear energy in naval vessels offers a cleaner and more efficient solution to reduce emissions and address water and energy supply challenges. This study explores a novel system that combines a nuclear-driven supercritical carbon dioxide power cycle with reverse osmosis cogeneration to meet the water and electricity demands in maritime operations, enhancing the sustainability, efficiency, and self-sufficiency of naval vessels. The results indicate that the system has the potential to be a viable and effective solution for naval operations.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dao Thi Thanh Huyen, Saikat Sinha Ray, Young -Nam Kwon
Summary: This study focuses on the modification of a commercially available polyamide thin-film composite membrane with a zwitterionic material to enhance its fouling resistance. The modified membrane shows improved salt rejection and reduced permeability compared to the pristine membrane. Fouling tests demonstrate that the modified membrane has a lower fouling ratio and higher recovery ratio. The enhanced antifouling characteristics are attributed to the improved hydrophilicity resulting from the zwitterionic brushes and the salting-in effect.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Niklas Koeller, Lukas Mankertz, Selina Finger, Christian J. Linnartz, Matthias Wessling
Summary: This study presents a methodology to scale up Flow-electrode Capacitive Deionization (FCDI) technology from lab-scale to pilot-scale systems. By increasing membrane area and using a stacking approach, the FCDI modules were successfully scaled up and achieved a salt transfer rate comparable to lab-scale systems. This provides a foundation for future assessments of energy demand and economics.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mona Gulied, Sifani Zavahir, Tasneem Elmakki, Hyunwoong Park, Guillermo Hijos Gago, Ho Kyong Shon, Dong Suk Han
Summary: This study introduces a novel hybrid system that combines direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) and electrically switched ion exchange (ESIX) to facilitate seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) brine enrichment and selective lithium recovery.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhiqiang Zhang, Ruifeng Deng, Jiao Zhang, Lu She, Guangfeng Wei, Renyong Jia, Pengyu Xiang, Siqing Xia
Summary: A transmembrane electro-chemisorption system with authigenic acid and base was developed for enhancing ammonia recovery from strong ammonia wastewater. The system efficiently transformed ammonium into free ammonia, which was then adsorbed and recovered through transmembrane chemisorption. This system yielded pure (NH4)2SO4 product and produced valuable byproducts of pure hydrogen and oxygen. Higher applied voltage resulted in better ammonia recovery.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Alena Popova, Sandrine Boivin, Takuji Shintani, Takahiro Fujioka
Summary: This study aimed to produce a high-integrity RO membrane by forming a polyamide skin layer on a TE support layer, in order to enhance the integrity of the membrane and improve the microbiological safety of potable water reuse.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sanjana Yagnambhatt, Saber Khanmohammadi, Jonathan Maisonneuve
Summary: This study investigates the concept of using heat to enhance reverse osmosis (RO) desalination. The effect of temperature on water permeate flux, specific energy, permeate quality, and applied operating pressures is evaluated using an analytical model. The results suggest that under specific conditions, the tradeoff between savings in mechanical pump work and thermal energy input in thermally-enhanced RO can be favorable, leading to overall energy savings.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jiangju Si, Chenrui Xue, Shun Li, Linchao Yang, Weiwei Li, Jie Yang, Jihong Lan, Ningbo Sun
Summary: To meet the huge demand for lithium resources, there is an urgent need to develop a new efficient technology for lithium recovery from salt-lake brines. In this study, a selective membrane capacitive deionization system is reported, which achieves high lithium recovery capacity and rate through the use of materials with efficient intercalated pseudo-capacitance and a high specific area porous carbon. The use of a modified thin-coated membrane allows for selective Li+ recovery, and adjusting the concentrations of Li+ and Mg2+ in the feed solution enables higher Li+/Mg2+ selectivity.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mohamed R. Salem, R. Y. Sakr, Ghazy M. R. Assassa, Omar A. Aly
Summary: This research proposes a new method of using wasted thermal energies as an additional heating source for solar still distillation units (SSDUs) to increase productivity and reduce pollution and global warming. By testing two SSDUs, the study shows that heating airflow can raise temperatures, enhance freshwater production, and improve system thermal efficiency.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Qimeng Sun, Miao Sun, Linyan Yang, Yuan Gao, Xinghai Zhou, Lihua Lyu, Chunyan Wei
Summary: This study presents an innovative design and fabrication of a fabric-based conical roll (FCR) evaporator, which enables low-temperature evaporation and achieves high evaporation efficiency with excellent thermal management ability. The evaporator has demonstrated advanced light-harvesting capability and can produce freshwater that meets drinking water standards, showing great potential for applications in desalination and sewage treatment.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yidong Zhang, Wangfang Deng, Meiyan Wu, Chao Liu, Guang Yu, Qiu Cui, Pedram Fatehi, Chunlin Xu, Bin Li
Summary: In this study, a novel polydopamine-functionalized lignin-containing pulp foam evaporator with high-efficiency desalination and multi-contaminant adsorption capabilities was designed. The foam evaporator showed excellent light absorption, water absorption, thermal conductivity, and chelation abilities, allowing for solar evaporation and contaminant adsorption synergistically. It also exhibited potential applications in metal ion concentration and contaminated seawater treatments, and demonstrated superior biodegradability compared to poly-styrene foam. This foam material holds promise for developing multifunctional photo-thermal systems for solar-driven water purification.
