Article
Engineering, Chemical
Bin Lin, Luuk C. Rietveld, Lu Yao, Sebastiaan G. J. Heijman
Summary: This study demonstrates that Fenton cleaning in ceramic nanofiltration can effectively remove cake layer fouling on the membrane, but has limited efficacy in removing adsorptive fouling. The findings provide new insights into the evaluation and optimization of oxidative cleaning in ceramic NF for water treatment.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jinlong Wang, Xiaobin Tang, Xiaoxiang Cheng, Jiajian Xing, Hesong Wang, Guibai Li, Heng Liang
Summary: The electrolysis method can effectively control fouling of ceramic UF membranes, soften NF concentrate, and remove organic pollutants. Moreover, crystals generated during electrolysis can form a dynamic barrier to prevent organic matter from contaminating the membrane surface.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinlong Wang, Heng Liang, Xiaobin Tang, Zhendong Gan, Guibai Li
Summary: The use of cation exchange membrane (CEM) electrolysis can alleviate fouling effects in nanofiltration (NF) processes, improving membrane permeability and stability. It effectively removes divalent cations, reducing scaling potential and enhancing the quality of organic indicators in NF membrane permeate. This chemical-free approach shows promise for urban water treatment and water reclamation by providing guidance on NF membrane fouling.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hui-Bo Yu, Xian-Qiu Zhang, Xue Han, Zhen-Zhen Yang, Ya-Wen Zhou, Wen Ding, Ming-Xia Du
Summary: This study investigated the membrane fouling caused by residual aluminum in nanofiltration systems and found that ultrafiltration pretreatment was an effective method to control the fouling. Amino trimethylene phosphonic acid (ATMP) was also shown to have an inhibitory effect on aluminum foulants, reducing membrane fouling to some extent. The combined process of coagulation-ultrafiltration was recommended as an ideal way to prevent membrane fouling caused by residual aluminum.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Minju Cha, Chanhee Boo, In-Hyuck Song, Chanhyuk Park
Summary: This study demonstrates the fabrication of GO-assembled ceramic NF membranes for effective ammonium removal from semiconductor wastewater. The membranes showed high ammonium removal and low fouling potential, making them promising options for wastewater treatment.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maede Gholamiveisi, Sirus Zinadini, Ali Akbar Zinatizadeh
Summary: In this study, a cinnamon extract/coupling modified polyether sulfone mixed matrix membrane with excellent anti-fouling and antibacterial properties was successfully synthesized. The modified membrane was characterized through various analysis techniques, and the results showed that the membrane had wider finger-like pores and a significantly smoother surface. It exhibited excellent self-cleaning and antibacterial properties, with high flux recovery ratio and a clear large halo in the agar diffusion test. The membrane also showed a significant reduction of bacteria on its surface in the bacteria suspension immersion test. Furthermore, the membrane demonstrated good efficiency in purifying biologically treated industrial wastewater and effective rejection of different salt solutions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Liuqing Yang, Ximeng Zhang, Jalal Rahmatinejad, Bahareh Raisi, Zhibin Ye
Summary: Zwitterionic loose nanofiltration (Z-NF) membranes with enhanced hydrophilicity and fouling-resistant ability were successfully fabricated by rapid co-deposition of dopamine and diamine-zwitterion (Z-DNMA) via covalent bonds. The identified optimum membrane (Z-NF3) exhibited high pure water permeability and high rejections to organic dyes, as well as superior fouling-resistant performance.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Hang Xu, Jun Ma, Mingmei Ding, Zongli Xie
Summary: A two-dimensional MXene/CNT membrane with excellent water permeation and PFOA rejection performance was fabricated and evaluated. The fouling mechanism of PFOA coexistence with Ca2+ and humic acid on the membrane was investigated using experiments and density functional theory (DFT). Results revealed the dominant role of hydrogen bonding interaction at the initial stage and the strengthening of complexation interaction with the increase of Ca2+ concentrations, which contributed to higher permeability.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Bin Lin, Sebastiaan G. J. Heijman, Ran Shang, Luuk C. Rietveld
Summary: This study proposed a novel method for cleaning ceramic nanofiltration membranes, achieving high flux recovery through oxalic acid-aided Fenton process.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
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
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongyun Xu, Han Xiao, Christopher J. Ellison, Mahesh K. Mahanthappa
Summary: This study successfully synthesized materials with nanoporous structures through thermal cross-linking and selective chemical etching, challenging the expectation that remaining cylinders cannot form a continuous material. Scanning electron microscopy imaging revealed the interconnected nanostructures, while permeation behavior of poly(ethylene oxide) based on hydrodynamic radius directly demonstrated the continuity and size selectivity of the material.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Danielle Scheepers, Jeroen de Keizer, Zandrie Borneman, Kitty Nijmeijer
Summary: Layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte layers is used to fabricate versatile nanofiltration membranes, with pH as a determinant factor in membrane formation and performance. By varying the pH, the charge density of polyelectrolyte layers can be adjusted, affecting salt retention and adsorption. Symmetric membranes with different pH levels (4, 8, and 9) and asymmetric membranes with a combination of base layers terminated by PEI/PSS layers are compared. The results show that increasing the pH leads to lower PEI charge density, causing higher adsorption. However, reducing charge density in symmetric membranes decreases salt retention, while asymmetric membranes consistently achieve >90% retention for MgSO4 and Na2SO4. The advantage of asymmetric membrane formation is demonstrated by the improved performance compared to symmetric membranes, with higher permeabilities and salt retentions (>95% for MgSO4 and Na2SO4). This pH-tailored assembly method allows for the production of versatile membranes with enhanced performance in terms of water flux and salt retention, without additional synthesis or modification steps.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
S. B. Rutten, V. L. Levering, L. Hernandez Leal, J. de Grooth, H. D. W. Roesink
Summary: To meet the increasing global water demand, local solutions, such as the reuse of greywater, are becoming more important. However, the presence of micropollutants in treated greywater effluent limits its full-scale implementation. This research evaluated the fouling effect on the performance of polyelectrolyte multilayer nanofiltration membranes and demonstrated that hollow fiber nanofiltration membranes have the potential suitability for greywater reclamation schemes.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Luca Mazzaferro, Samuel J. Lounder, Ayse Asatekin
Summary: The limited chemistries of membranes on the market restrict their applications in various separations. This study introduces a new class of membrane materials based on self-assembly of random polyampholyte amphiphilic copolymers, which exhibit excellent permeability, selectivity, and fouling resistance. The membranes feature ionic nanodomains as nanochannels for water permeation, surrounded by hydrophobic nanodomains to maintain structural integrity. Precise control over selectivity is achieved by designing the copolymers, enabling a wide range of applications in wastewater treatment and chemical separations.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Siao Zhao, Yunhuan Chen, Guanxiao Wu, Jiapeng Li, Yongsheng Ren, Xiaoxiao Duan
Summary: The study found that strontium ions are the main component of membrane fouling during mine water treatment, impacting the interfacial thermodynamic interactions. The addition of calcium ions increases repulsive forces and energy barriers, helping to alleviate the degree of membrane fouling.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ayesha Kausar, Ishaq Ahmad, Malik Maaza, M. H. Eisa
Summary: Securing existing water resources is crucial and several advanced water treatment technologies have been developed. The development of water filtration membranes for desalination, ion permeation, and microbes handling is considered the most successful methodology. Polymer/fullerene nanocomposite membranes have important applications in water treatment, leading to revolutions in high-performance membranes.
Review
Polymer Science
Ayesha Kausar
Summary: This review focuses on the structure and features of high performance covalently linked polymer/fullerene nanocomposites. Through covalent bonding, polymer chains can be attached to fullerene molecules, which improves fullerene dispersion and interactions with the matrix-nanofiller. Fullerene molecules have been grafted onto conducting polymers and thermoplastic/thermosetting polymers/block copolymers, resulting in exceptional structural, morphological, electrical, thermal, and other physical properties. Unique star-shape/dendritic polymer/fullerene assemblies have also been observed. The covalently interconnected polymer/fullerene nanocomposites exhibit remarkable physical properties for high-tech applications such as solar cells, optical sensors, supercapacitors, and biomedical fields.
POLYMER-PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Ayesha Kausar
Summary: Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) is an inorganic-organic nanoreinforcement that has been modified to form POSS-nanocarbon nanostructures. These nanostructures enhance the physical/chemical interactions and compatibility of POSS molecules with organic matrices. Including POSS-nanocarbon in nanocomposites improves their structural, morphological, thermal, mechanical, and other physical characteristics.
POLYMER-PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIALS
(2023)
Art Exhibit Review
Polymer Science
Ayesha Kausar
Summary: Porphyrins are unique heterocyclic molecules composed of four modified pyrrole rings connected via methine groups. They have been enhanced by developing linked nanostructures with nanocarbons such as carbon nanotube, graphene, and fullerene through electron donor-acceptor interactions. These nanocomposites, reinforced in polymeric matrices, exhibit high surface area, conductivity, optical, thermal, mechanical capacitance, sensing, and photocatalytic properties. The high-performance nanocomposite structures have found applications in sensors, supercapacitors, and solar cells.
JOURNAL OF MACROMOLECULAR SCIENCE PART A-PURE AND APPLIED CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Composites
Ayesha Kausar
Summary: Polyimide is a high performance polymer with imide functionalities, possessing a wide range of properties. Fullerene, a zero dimensional symmetrical nanocarbon, has been used as a nanofiller in polyimide films to enhance their features and performance. This review focuses on the fundamentals, structure, properties, and applications of polyimide films, particularly those reinforced with fullerene nanofiller. Various methods have been employed to prepare polyimide/fullerene nanocomposite films, and numerous experimental and theoretical studies have been conducted. These unique films have found significant applications in optoelectronic devices, photodetectors, and sensors.
JOURNAL OF THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Ayesha Kausar, Ishaq Ahmad, O. Aldaghri, Khalid H. Ibnaouf, M. H. Eisa
Summary: This review summarizes the fundamentals, design, fabrication, and characteristics of polymer/nanoclay nanofibers and highlights their potential applications in sensors, packaging, tissue engineering, and wound healing. The study shows that incorporating nanoclays into polymer nanofibers using electrospinning can improve the dispersion, microstructure, and physical properties of the nanofibers.
Review
Materials Science, Composites
Ayesha Kausar, Ishaq Ahmad, Tingkai Zhao, Malik Maaza, Patrizia Bocchetta
Summary: Fuel cell efficiency can be enhanced by using progressive electrodes and electrolytes, including green nanomaterials and green technologies. The replacement of platinum-based electrodes with green materials and nanocomposites through green fabrication approaches leads to the development of environmentally friendly fuel cells. The application of green nanocomposites in fuel cell electrode and electrolyte materials, along with green synthesis techniques, has demonstrated significant improvements in morphology, impedance, resistance, power density, current density, electrochemical features, proton conductivity, and overall efficiency. The future importance and challenges of utilizing green nanocomposites in electrodes and electrolytes to achieve efficient fuel cells are also discussed.
JOURNAL OF COMPOSITES SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Composites
Ayesha Kausar, Ishaq Ahmad, Tingkai Zhao, M. H. Eisa, O. Aldaghri, Meenal Gupta, Patrizia Bocchetta
Summary: Graphene, a unique nanocarbon nanostructure, is widely used in the formation of nanocomposites. Recently, there has been a focus on green-synthesized graphene due to environmental concerns. This review highlights the application of green-synthesized graphene-based nanocomposites in energy storage devices, specifically in supercapacitor components. The structural diversity of polymer/green-synthesized graphene nanocomposites has improved the performance of supercapacitor electrodes by enhancing charge transportation/storage capacity, specific capacitance, capacitance retention, cyclability, and durability. Factors such as green synthesis methods, graphene functionality, dispersion, and interactions with the matrix-nanofiller also influence the supercapacitance properties and performance. Further research on innovative polymer and green graphene-derived nanocomposites may address the challenges in design and performance for technical applications.
JOURNAL OF COMPOSITES SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ayesha Kausar, Ishaq Ahmad, Tingkai Zhao, Osamah Aldaghri, Khalid H. H. Ibnaouf, M. H. Eisa
Summary: This review focuses on the applications of polymer/graphene nanocomposites in energy storage and conversion devices such as supercapacitors, Li-ion batteries, and fuel cells. Graphene's unique structure and features make it an indispensable material among carbon nanomaterials. Graphene-based nanocomposites provide advanced properties such as high surface area, electron conductivity, capacitance, energy density, charge-discharge, cyclic stability, and power conversion efficiency for efficient energy devices. Furthermore, these nanocomposites exhibit superior microstructure, mechanical robustness, and heat stability. Despite their essential features, overcoming challenges is necessary to achieve advanced device performance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Crystallography
Ayesha Kausar, Ishaq Ahmad, Tingkai Zhao, Osamah Aldaghri, Khalid H. Ibnaouf, M. H. Eisa
Summary: Multifunctional polymer nanocomposites have made important innovations in the field of sensing technology. These high-tech sensors utilize conductive, thermoplast, elastomeric, and natural polymers filled with carbon nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles to enhance the durability, electrical conductivity, sensitivity, selectivity, and responsiveness.
Review
Materials Science, Composites
Ayesha Kausar, Ishaq Ahmad
Summary: Polymer nanofibers have emerged as unique one-dimensional nanomaterials, which can be processed using various thermoplastic, conducting, and thermoset matrices to form polymeric and nanocomposite nanofibers. This review focuses on the worth of electrospinning technology for the processing of polymer/nanocarbon nanocomposite nanofibers. The design, morphology, physical properties, and applications of electrospun nanofibers are explored, highlighting their large surface area, fine orientation, alignment, and morphology. The processing technique and parameters influence the nanofiber morphology, diameter, electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and thermal stability. The resulting nanocomposite nanofibers have shown potential for applications such as photovoltaics, supercapacitors, radiation shielding, tissue engineering, and antimicrobials.
JOURNAL OF COMPOSITES SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Composites
Ayesha Kausar, Ishaq Ahmad, Tingkai Zhao, Osamah Aldaghri, Khalid H. Ibnaouf, M. H. Eisa
Summary: Research on polymer nanocomposite nanofibers has experienced significant growth due to the increasing applicability of these materials for technological applications. This review focuses on manufacturing techniques and properties of polymer/graphene nanofiber nanocomposites. Various methods have been used to fabricate these nanocomposites, with electrospinning being the preferred technique, and the resulting nanofibers have been examined for their physical properties and potential applications in fields such as radiation shielding and biomedicine.
JOURNAL OF COMPOSITES SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Ayesha Kausar
Summary: This review discusses the design and existing/emerging technologies of carbohydrate polymeric nanocomposites and their promising applications in the biomedical field. The interactions between the matrix and nanofillers create synergistic effects, enabling these nanocomposites to be used in various biomedical applications such as biosensing, antibacterial activities, wound healing, tissue engineering, and drug delivery systems.
POLYMER-PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Ayesha Kausar
Summary: Shape memory polymer can recover its original shape under external stimuli, and by incorporating nanocarbons, especially fullerene, its performance can be enhanced. The nanocomposite exhibits superior structural characteristics and shape memory effects, while the matrix-nanofiller interaction and compatibility improve dispersion and nanomaterial properties.
POLYMER-PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Ayesha Kausar
Summary: This article presents recent research progress in the field of conducting polymer and fullerene-based nanocomposites, which have wide applications in energy and electronics sectors.
POLYMER-PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIALS
(2023)
