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Polymers
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Polymeric Membranes for Advanced Applications
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Polymeric Membranes for Advanced Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Membranes and Films".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 26761

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Damien Quémener

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Advanced Macromolecular Materials, the Institut Européen des Membranes, Institut Europeen des Membranes UMR5635, Montpellier, France
Interests: advanced polymer membranes; block copolymers; inorganic particles; self-assembly

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer membranes represent over 80% of the filtration membrane market due to lower production costs and easier processing. Placed at the interface between two media (liquid-liquid, gas-gas, liquid-gas), membranes have benefited from numerous concomitant innovation cycles in recent years, both from the point of view of the membrane material and of the filtration process. To the polymers conventionally found in commercial membranes, such as, cellulose acetate, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(tetrafluoroethylene), or poly(vinylidene fluoride), has been added a wide variety of new polymers with functionalities and/or controlled architecture. The almost infinite possibilities of structural variation are leading to the emergence of a new generation of membranes that can have an impact in all the key sectors of tomorrow (environment, health, energy, etc.).

The objective of this special issue is to highlight work on the synthesis and characterization of new polymers for membrane applications, new ways of manufacturing membranes and their use in advanced filtration techniques.

Dr. Damien Quémener 
Guest Editor

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. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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

  • Polymers and copolymers
  • Phase separation of polymer solutions
  • New filtration membranes
  • Advanced characterization techniques of membrane transport
  • Membrane applications

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 10086 KiB  
Article
Stability of Polymeric Membranes to UV Exposure before and after Coating with TiO2 Nanoparticles
by Geórgia Labuto, Sandra Sanches, João G. Crespo, Vanessa J. Pereira and Rosa M. Huertas
Polymers 2022, 14(1), 124; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14010124 - 30 Dec 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2338
Abstract
The combination of photocatalysis and membrane filtration in a single reactor has been proposed, since the photocatalytic treatment may degrade the pollutants retained by the membrane and reduce fouling. However, polymeric membranes can be susceptible to degradation by UV radiation and free radicals. [...] Read more.
The combination of photocatalysis and membrane filtration in a single reactor has been proposed, since the photocatalytic treatment may degrade the pollutants retained by the membrane and reduce fouling. However, polymeric membranes can be susceptible to degradation by UV radiation and free radicals. In the present study, five commercial polymeric membranes were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation before and after applying a sol–gel coating with TiO2 nanoparticles. Membrane stability was characterized by changes in hydrophilicity as well as analysis of soluble substances and nanoparticles detached into the aqueous medium, and by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) for structural, morphological, and elemental distribution analysis, respectively. The TiO2 coating conferred photocatalytic properties to the membranes and protected them during 6 h of UV radiation exposures, reducing or eliminating chemical and morphological changes, and in some cases, improving their mechanical resistance. A selected commercial nanofiltration membrane was coated with TiO2 and used in a hybrid reactor with a low-pressure UV lamp, promoting photocatalysis coupled with cross-flow filtration in order to remove 17α-ethinylestradiol spiked into an aqueous matrix, achieving an efficiency close to 100% after 180 min of combined filtration and photocatalysis, and almost 80% after 90 min. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Membranes for Advanced Applications)
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12 pages, 5506 KiB  
Article
Nano-Fibrous Networks from Co-Assembly of Amphiphilic Peptide and Polyelectrolyte
by Thomas Babut, Mona Semsarilar, Marc Rolland and Damien Quemener
Polymers 2021, 13(22), 3983; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13223983 - 18 Nov 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1461
Abstract
Organize the matter on an increasingly small scale is sought in order to increase the performance of materials. In the case of porous materials, such as filtration membranes, a compromise must be found between the selectivity provided by this nanostructuring and a permeability [...] Read more.
Organize the matter on an increasingly small scale is sought in order to increase the performance of materials. In the case of porous materials, such as filtration membranes, a compromise must be found between the selectivity provided by this nanostructuring and a permeability in particular linked to the existing pore volume. In this work, we propose an innovative waterborne approach consisting in co-assembling peptide amphiphiles (PA) which will provide nanostructuring and polyelectrolytes which will provide them with sufficient mechanical properties to sustain water pressure. C16-V3A3K3G-NH2 PA nanocylinders were synthesized and co-assembled with poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSSNa) into porous nano-fibrous network via electrostatic interactions. The ratio between C16-V3A3K3G-NH2 and PSSNa was studied to optimize the material structure. Since spontaneous gelation between the two precursors does not allow the material to be shaped, various production methods have been studied, in particular via tape casting and spray-coating. Whereas self-supported membranes were mechanically weak, co-assemblies supported onto commercial ultrafiltration membranes could sustain water pressure up to 3 bars while a moderate permeability was measured confirming the existence of a percolated network. The produced membrane material falls into the ultrafiltration range with a pore radius of about 7.6 nm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Membranes for Advanced Applications)
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19 pages, 2183 KiB  
Article
Design and Development of Enhanced Antimicrobial Breathable Biodegradable Polymeric Films for Food Packaging Applications
by Mona M. Abd Al-Ghani, Rasha A. Azzam and Tarek M. Madkour
Polymers 2021, 13(20), 3527; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13203527 - 14 Oct 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3104
Abstract
The principle of breathable food packaging is to provide the optimal number of pores to transfer a sufficient amount of fresh air into the packaging headspace. In this work, antimicrobial microporous eco-friendly polymeric membranes were developed for food packaging. Polylactic acid (PLA) and [...] Read more.
The principle of breathable food packaging is to provide the optimal number of pores to transfer a sufficient amount of fresh air into the packaging headspace. In this work, antimicrobial microporous eco-friendly polymeric membranes were developed for food packaging. Polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were chosen as the main packaging polymers for their biodegradability. To develop the microporous films, sodium chloride (NaCl) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) were used as porogenic agents and the membranes were prepared using solvent-casting techniques. The results showed that films with of 50% NaCl and 10% PEO by mass achieved the highest air permeability and oxygen transmission rate (O2TR) with PLA. Meanwhile, blends of 20% PLA and 80% PCL by mass showed the highest air permeability and O2TR at 100% NaCl composition. The microporous membranes were also coated with cinnamaldehyde, a natural antimicrobial ingredient, to avoid the transportation of pathogens through the membranes into the packaged foods. In vitro analysis showed that the biodegradable membranes were not only environmentally friendly but also allowed for maximum food protection through the transportation of sterile fresh air, making them ideal for food packaging applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Membranes for Advanced Applications)
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21 pages, 3789 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Anion Exchange Membranes Based on Semi-Interpenetrating Networks of Functionalized Polysulfone: Effect of Ionic Crosslinking
by Sydonne Swaby, Nieves Ureña, María Teresa Pérez-Prior, Alejandro Várez and Belén Levenfeld
Polymers 2021, 13(6), 958; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13060958 - 20 Mar 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2302
Abstract
In this work, anion exchange membranes based on polymer semi-interpenetrating networks were synthesized and characterized for the first time. The networks are composed of sulfonated polysulfone and 1-methylimidazolium-functionalized polysulfone crosslinked covalently with N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (degree of crosslinking [...] Read more.
In this work, anion exchange membranes based on polymer semi-interpenetrating networks were synthesized and characterized for the first time. The networks are composed of sulfonated polysulfone and 1-methylimidazolium-functionalized polysulfone crosslinked covalently with N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (degree of crosslinking of 5%). In these membranes, sulfonic groups interact electrostatically with cationic groups to form an ionic crosslinking structure with improved alkaline stability. The effect of the ionic crosslinking on the thermal, chemical, mechanical, and electrochemical behavior of membranes was studied. These crosslinked membranes containing sulfonated polysulfone showed higher thermal stability, with a delay of around 20 °C in the onset decomposition temperature value of the functional groups than the crosslinked membranes containing free polysulfone. The tensile strength values were maintained above 44 MPa in all membranes with a degree of chloromethylation (DC) below 100%. The maximum ionic conductivity value is reached with the membrane with the highest degree of chloromethylation. The chemical stability in alkaline medium of the conducting membranes also improved. Thus, the ionic conductivity variation of the membranes after 96 h in a 1 M potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution is less pronounced when polysulfone is replaced by sulfonated polysulfone. So, the ionic crosslinking which joins both components of the blends together, improves the material’s properties making progress in the development of new solid electrolyte for polymeric fuel cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Membranes for Advanced Applications)
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14 pages, 2337 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) Dense Layer on Polyetherimide (PEI) Hollow Fiber Support for the Efficient CO2/N2 Separation Membranes
by Guoqiang Li, Katarzyna Knozowska, Joanna Kujawa, Andrius Tonkonogovas, Arūnas Stankevičius and Wojciech Kujawski
Polymers 2021, 13(5), 756; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13050756 - 28 Feb 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3581
Abstract
The development of thin layer on hollow-fiber substrate has drawn great attention in the gas-separation process. In this work, polydimethysiloxane (PDMS)/polyetherimide (PEI) hollow-fiber membranes were prepared by using the dip-coating method. The prepared membranes were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray [...] Read more.
The development of thin layer on hollow-fiber substrate has drawn great attention in the gas-separation process. In this work, polydimethysiloxane (PDMS)/polyetherimide (PEI) hollow-fiber membranes were prepared by using the dip-coating method. The prepared membranes were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and gas permeance measurements. The concentration of PDMS solution and coating time revealed an important influence on the gas permeance and the thickness of the PDMS layer. It was confirmed from the SEM and EDX results that the PDMS layer’s thickness and the atomic content of silicon in the selective layer increased with the growth in coating time and the concentration of PDMS solution. The composite hollow-fiber membrane prepared from 15 wt% PDMS solution at 10 min coating time showed the best gas-separation performance with CO2 permeance of 51 GPU and CO2/N2 ideal selectivity of 21. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Membranes for Advanced Applications)
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14 pages, 3009 KiB  
Article
Composite Aramid Membranes with High Strength and pH-Response
by Xiao Wang, Shi Li, Yuanyuan Tu, Jiwen Hu, Zhenzhu Huang, Shudong Lin and Xuefeng Gui
Polymers 2021, 13(4), 621; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13040621 - 19 Feb 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2700
Abstract
The pH-responsive membrane is a new wastewater treatment technology developed in recent years. In this paper, a novel film with intelligent pH-responsiveness was first prepared by blending functional gates comprised of hydrolyzed aramid nanofibers (HANFs) into aramid nanofiber (ANF) membranes via a vacuum [...] Read more.
The pH-responsive membrane is a new wastewater treatment technology developed in recent years. In this paper, a novel film with intelligent pH-responsiveness was first prepared by blending functional gates comprised of hydrolyzed aramid nanofibers (HANFs) into aramid nanofiber (ANF) membranes via a vacuum filtration method. Those as-prepared membranes exhibited dual pH-responsive characteristics, which were featured with a negative pH-responsiveness in an acidic environment and a positive pH-responsiveness in basic media. These dual pH-responsive membranes also exhibited a high tensile strength which could still reach 55.74 MPa (even when the HANFs content was as high as 50 wt%), a high decomposition temperature at ~363 °C, and good solvent resistance. The membranes described herein may be promising candidates for a myriad of applications, such as the controlled release of drugs, sensors, sewage treatment, etc. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Membranes for Advanced Applications)
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Review

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25 pages, 1048 KiB  
Review
Fouling and Chemical Cleaning of Microfiltration Membranes: A Mini-Review
by Aysegul Gul, Jakub Hruza and Fatma Yalcinkaya
Polymers 2021, 13(6), 846; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13060846 - 10 Mar 2021
Cited by 108 | Viewed by 10142
Abstract
Membrane fouling is one of the main drawbacks encountered during the practical application of membrane separation processes. Cleaning of a membrane is important to reduce fouling and improve membrane performance. Accordingly, an effective cleaning method is currently of crucial importance for membrane separation [...] Read more.
Membrane fouling is one of the main drawbacks encountered during the practical application of membrane separation processes. Cleaning of a membrane is important to reduce fouling and improve membrane performance. Accordingly, an effective cleaning method is currently of crucial importance for membrane separation processes in water treatment. To clean the fouling and improve the overall efficiency of membranes, deep research on the cleaning procedures is needed. So far, physical, chemical, or combination techniques have been used for membrane cleaning. In the current work, we critically reviewed the fouling mechanisms affecting factors of fouling such as the size of particle or solute; membrane microstructure; the interactions between membrane, solute, and solvent; and porosity of the membrane and also examined cleaning methods of microfiltration (MF) membranes such as physical cleaning and chemical cleaning. Herein, we mainly focused on the chemical cleaning process. Factors affecting the chemical cleaning performance, including cleaning time, the concentration of chemical cleaning, and temperature of the cleaning process, were discussed in detail. This review is carried out to enable a better understanding of the membrane cleaning process for an effective membrane separation process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Membranes for Advanced Applications)
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