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Membranes
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Novel Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes
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Novel Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes

A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2022) | Viewed by 16274

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Fawzi Banat

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, P.O. 127788 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Interests: membrane technology; wastewater treatment; desalination; nanomaterials; carbon composits; waste to value; biomass conversion; sustainable production
Prof. Dr. Pau Loke Show

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Broga Road, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia
Interests: biotechnology; bioprocess; bioengineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. G. S. Nirmala

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Katpadi-Thiruvalam Road, Vellore 632014, India
Interests: advanced separation processes; fluidization technology; process intensification; hydrodynamics; materials research

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Rapid industrialization and urbanization has not only deteriorated the water quality but also created highly depleting levels of available water quantity. This has urged researchers/scientists to develop innovative technologies to desalinate seawater and recycle various wastewater streams. In recent years, membrane-based operations have seen exponential growth in all aspects of water and wastewater treatment to cater to the growing demand of communities and industries. One of the key elements for the efficient performance of membrane systems is membrane material. Membranes made from a special class of polymers, ceramics, zeolites, organic frameworks, etc. have exhibited extraordinary filtration characteristics. To further enhance the membrane performance, functionalization, and surface modifications of these starting materials, using unique additives (specifically carbon and nanometal based derivatives) is recommended, which would deliver novel membrane materials with an excellent combination of selectivity, permeability, and antifouling ability. Alterations to existing membrane fabrication techniques could also result in a new class of tailored membranes with a desirable structure and stability for specialized applications.  

Moreover, though membrane technology is very much promising, its industrial application is greatly limited to water and wastewater treatment. The extended scope of membrane technology in other industrial sectors such as energy, pharma, semiconductors, etc. needs a profound insight into membrane systems’ intensification in terms of new process developments as well as integration with existing conventional units. Additionally, hybrid processes (such as combined osmosis, membrane distillation, membrane bioreactors, etc.) are critically researched to develop new technologies for efficient brackish and effluent water streams treatment.

This Special Issue (SI) on “Novel Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes” is intended to cover recent developments and discoveries related to high-performance membrane materials and membrane-based operations. The issue provides a perfect opportunity for researchers to report on the topics of, but not limited to, new types of membrane materials with characterizations and applications, related membrane manufacture methods, membranes for specialty applications, and state-of-the-art membrane technologies towards process intensification/integration. Research articles and critical reviews related to the scope of the SI are welcome for submission.

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

  • New materials for membrane synthesis and their applications;
  • Unique class of membrane additives/modifiers (specifically carbon composites and nanomaterials) with characterization, performance assessment and antifouling ability;
  • Novel membrane fabrication methods and modifications to existing production techniques;
  • Hybrid and composite membrane materials for water and wastewater treatment, desalination, fuel cells, drug delivery, energy applications, resource recovery, and related applications;
  • Advanced membrane-based operations for brackish water desalination and water reclamation from industrial/domestic waste streams;
  • Innovative integration approaches of membrane systems with conventional separation systems on possible industrial fields;
  • New membrane technologies for process continuity, environmental friendliness, and low footprint;
  • Other novel aspects related to membrane and membrane-based separation technology.

Submission Begins

1 August 2020

Submission Deadline

31 August 2022

Publication Date

Papers are published upon acceptance, regardless of the Special Issue Deadline

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prof. Dr. Fawzi Banat
Dr. Pau Loke Show
Dr. G. S. Nirmala
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Membrane materials
  • Polymers and ceramics
  • Biopolymers
  • Mix matrix membranes (MMMs)
  • Functionalization and Surface modifications
  • Nanocomposites
  • Membrane processes
  • Process intensification
  • Integrated systems
  • Water and wastewater treatment
  • Membrane fouling

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 3605 KiB  
Article
Formation of Nanochannels Using Polypropylene and Acetylcellulose for Stable Separators
by Hye Ji Lee, Younghyun Cho and Sang Wook Kang
Membranes 2022, 12(8), 764; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/membranes12080764 - 04 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1428
Abstract
In this study, a polymer separator with enhanced thermal stability is prepared to solve the problem of thermal durability of lithium-ion battery separators. This separator is manufactured by coating a solution of acetyl cellulose and glycerin on polypropylene. The added glycerin reacts with [...] Read more.
In this study, a polymer separator with enhanced thermal stability is prepared to solve the problem of thermal durability of lithium-ion battery separators. This separator is manufactured by coating a solution of acetyl cellulose and glycerin on polypropylene. The added glycerin reacts with the acetyl cellulose chains, helping the chains become flexible, and promotes the formation of many pores in the acetyl cellulose. To improve the thermal stability of the separator, a mixed solution of acetyl cellulose and glycerin was coated twice on the PP membrane film. Water pressure is applied using a water treatment equipment to partially connect the pores of a small size in each layer and for the interaction between the PP and acetyl cellulose. SEM is used to observe the shape, size, and quantity of pores. TGA and FT-IR are used to observe the interactions. Average water flux data of the separators is 1.42 LMH and the decomposition temperature increases by about 60 °C compared to the neat acetyl cellulose. It is confirmed that there is an interaction with PP between the functional groups of acetyl cellulose. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes)
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12 pages, 2606 KiB  
Article
Versatile Photo/Electricity Responsive Properties of a Coordination Polymer Based on Extended Viologen Ligands
by Xiaohan Peng, Yuchen Shi, Zhiqiang Zeng, Jianming Zheng and Chunye Xu
Membranes 2022, 12(3), 277; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/membranes12030277 - 28 Feb 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2134
Abstract
Responsive chromogenic materials have attracted increasing interest among researchers; however, up until now, few materials have exhibited multifunctional chromogenic properties. The coordination polymers (CPs) provide intriguing platforms to design and construct multifunctional materials. Here, a multifunctional photo/electricity responsive CP named Zn−Oxv, which is [...] Read more.
Responsive chromogenic materials have attracted increasing interest among researchers; however, up until now, few materials have exhibited multifunctional chromogenic properties. The coordination polymers (CPs) provide intriguing platforms to design and construct multifunctional materials. Here, a multifunctional photo/electricity responsive CP named Zn−Oxv, which is based on the “extended viologen” (ExV) ligand, was synthesized. The Zn−Oxv exhibited reversible photochromism, photomodulated fluorescence, electrochromism and electrofluorochromism. Furthermore, we prepared Zn−Oxv thin films and investigated electrochromic (EC) properties of viologen−based CPs for the first time. Zn−Oxv thin films showed excellent EC performance with a rapid switching speed (both coloring and bleaching time within 1 s), high coloration efficiency (102.9 cm2/C) and transmittance change (exceeding 40%). Notably, the Zn−Oxv is by far the fastest CP EC material based on redox−active ligands ever reported, indicating that the viologen−based CPs could open up a new field of materials for EC applications. Therefore, viologen−based CPs are attractive candidates for the design of novel multi−responsive chromogenic materials and EC materials that could promise creative applications in intelligent technology, dynamic displays and smart sensors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes)
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9 pages, 1735 KiB  
Communication
Oxygen Enrichment Membranes for Kuwait Power Plants: A Case Study
by Yousef Alqaheem and Fajer Alswaileh
Membranes 2021, 11(3), 211; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/membranes11030211 - 17 Mar 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2487
Abstract
Power plants are considered as the major source of carbon dioxide pollution in Kuwait. The gas is released from the combustion of fuel with air to convert water into steam. It has been proven that the use of enriched oxygen can reduce fuel [...] Read more.
Power plants are considered as the major source of carbon dioxide pollution in Kuwait. The gas is released from the combustion of fuel with air to convert water into steam. It has been proven that the use of enriched oxygen can reduce fuel consumption and minimize emissions. In this study, UniSim (Honeywell, Charlotte, NC, USA) was used to estimate the fuel savings and carbon dioxide emissions of the largest power plant in Kuwait (Alzour). Results showed that at 30 mol% oxygen, the fuel consumption was lowered by 8%, with a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 3524 tons per day. An economic analysis was performed on the use of a membrane unit to produce 30 mol% oxygen. At current market prices, the unit is not economical. However, the system can achieve a payback duration of 3 years if natural gas price increases to USD 6.74 or the compressor cost decreases to USD 52 per kW. Currently, the research and development sector is targeting a membrane fabrication cost of less than USD 10 per m2 to make the membrane process more attractive. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes)
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9 pages, 3843 KiB  
Article
pH-Sensitive Membranes with Smart Cleaning Capability for Efficient Emulsion Separation and Pollutant Removal
by Jiaming Zhang, Xiansheng Zhang, Wei Wei, Huiling Zhang, Yunfei Wang, Guoqiang Cai and Jindan Wu
Membranes 2021, 11(3), 193; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/membranes11030193 - 11 Mar 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1910
Abstract
Since anionic dyes and surfactants abundantly exist in oily wastewater, both the separation of oil/water mixture and removal of low-molecular-weight pollutants are important to realize the advanced purification of water. By grafting poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (pDMAEMA) onto polyethylene (PP) membrane via ultraviolet (UV)-initiated polymerization, [...] Read more.
Since anionic dyes and surfactants abundantly exist in oily wastewater, both the separation of oil/water mixture and removal of low-molecular-weight pollutants are important to realize the advanced purification of water. By grafting poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (pDMAEMA) onto polyethylene (PP) membrane via ultraviolet (UV)-initiated polymerization, the obtained PP-g-pDMAEMA membrane presented positively in water and negatively in an alkaline buffer (pH 9.0), respectively. Due to the switchable surface charge, the membrane had high emulsion separation efficiency and flux recovery ratio (approximately 100%). Besides, the dye (reactive black 5, RB-5) adsorption capacity reached 140 mg/m2 in water, and approximately 90% RB-5 could be released in pH 9.0. The anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, SDBS) was also reversely interpreted and released by the membrane via manipulating the ambient pH. The membrane constructed in this study is supposed to realize emulsion separation with smart cleaning capability, as well as the removal of dyes and surfactants, which could be utilized for multifunctional water purification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes)
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13 pages, 3187 KiB  
Article
Adsorption Behaviors of a Twin-Tower Hydrogen Purification System Mounted onto Staggered Stainless Steel Sheets Coated with Composite Membrane
by Hung-Ta Wu and Chin-Chun Chung
Membranes 2021, 11(3), 169; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/membranes11030169 - 27 Feb 2021
Viewed by 1749
Abstract
Many studies have been conducted on hydrogen production, storage, purification, and transportation. The use of fixed-bed adsorption towers for hydrogen purification is common. The operating variables involved that could affect the adsorption behavior, such as the amount of adsorbents used, the flow rate, [...] Read more.
Many studies have been conducted on hydrogen production, storage, purification, and transportation. The use of fixed-bed adsorption towers for hydrogen purification is common. The operating variables involved that could affect the adsorption behavior, such as the amount of adsorbents used, the flow rate, and the concentration of the adsorbate, should be discussed further. In addition, the pressure drop caused by the operation of the adsorption tower still needs to be considered. Therefore, the staggered stainless steel sheet coatings with SiO2/MCM41/activated carbon composite membrane were mounted in a twin-tower adsorption system to purify the hydrogen. Similar to the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system, the amounts of SiO2, activated carbon, and molecular sieves used in the adsorption tower were changed into the amounts of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), activated carbon powder, and MCM41 powder added to the casting solution. The experimental results showed that the performance of this twin-tower hydrogen purification system would not be increased when one of the target adsorbents was excessive. In addition, the outflow of non-hydrogen components was found to be early when a certain adsorbent was not sufficient. Finally, the recommended switching time for this system was set at an adsorption capacity reaching about 75% saturated capacity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes)
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9 pages, 4337 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Mordenite Membranes Using Sucrose Precursor for Pervaporation of Water-Ethanol Mixtures
by Abdulaziz A. Alomair and Yousef Alqaheem
Membranes 2021, 11(3), 160; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/membranes11030160 - 25 Feb 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1451
Abstract
Post-treated mordenite membranes were prepared using sucrose (C12H22O11) as a carbon precursor to block any pinholes and defects in the zeolite layer. The pervaporation (PV) process was used to separate ethanol from the water. The effects of [...] Read more.
Post-treated mordenite membranes were prepared using sucrose (C12H22O11) as a carbon precursor to block any pinholes and defects in the zeolite layer. The pervaporation (PV) process was used to separate ethanol from the water. The effects of the sucrose concentration and the pyrolysis temperature (650–850 °C) were investigated, and the resulting high separation performance compared to those post/pre-treated membranes was reported in the literature. In this study, mordenite carbon membranes yielded a water/ethanol separation factor of 990.37 at a water flux of 9.10 g/m2h. The influence of the operating temperature on the performance of the membrane also was considered. It was concluded that the selective adsorption of water through zeolite pores was achieved. The entire preparation procedure was achieved using a rapid, low-cost preparation process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes)
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17 pages, 36752 KiB  
Article
Polysulfone–Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone Blend Polymer Composite Membranes for Batik Industrial Wastewater Treatment
by Arifina Febriasari, Huriya, Annisa Hasna Ananto, Meri Suhartini and Sutrasno Kartohardjono
Membranes 2021, 11(1), 66; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/membranes11010066 - 18 Jan 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3987
Abstract
Batik wastewater, in general, is colored and has high concentrations of BOD (biological oxygen demand), COD (chemical oxygen demand), and dissolved and suspended solids. Polysulfone (PSf)-based membranes with the addition of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) were prepared to treat batik industrial wastewater. PSf/PVP membranes [...] Read more.
Batik wastewater, in general, is colored and has high concentrations of BOD (biological oxygen demand), COD (chemical oxygen demand), and dissolved and suspended solids. Polysulfone (PSf)-based membranes with the addition of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) were prepared to treat batik industrial wastewater. PSf/PVP membranes were prepared using the phase inversion method with N-methyl-2 pyrrolidone (NMP) as the solvent. Based on the membrane characterization through FESEM, water contact angle, porosity, and mechanical tests showed a phenomenon where the addition of PVP provided thermodynamic and kinetic effects on membrane formation, thereby affecting porosity, thickness, and hydrophilicity of the membranes. The study aims to observe the effect of adding PVP on polysulfone membrane permeability and antifouling performance on a laboratory scale through the ultrafiltration (UF) process. With the addition of PVP, the operational pressure of the polysulfone membrane was reduced compared to that without PVP. Based on the membrane filtration results, the highest removal efficiencies of COD, TDS (total dissolved solid), and conductivity achieved in the study were 80.4, 84.6, and 83.6%, respectively, on the PSf/PVP 0.35 membrane operated at 4 bar. Moreover, the highest color removal efficiency was 85.73% on the PSf/PVP 0.25 operated at 5 bar. The antifouling performance was identified by calculating the value of total, reversible, and irreversible membrane fouling, wherein in this study, the membrane with the best antifouling performance was PSf/PVP 0.25. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes)
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