Innovative Nanostructured Membranes for Reverse Osmosis Water Desalination

University of the Future: Re-Imagining Research and Higher Education ◽

10.29117/quarfe.2020.0023 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Haleema Saleem ◽

Syed Javaid Zaidi

Keyword(s):

Reverse Osmosis ◽

Separation Efficiency ◽

Interfacial Polymerization ◽

Water Flux ◽

Water Desalination ◽

Selective Layer ◽

Salt Rejection ◽

Membrane Performance ◽

Tfc Membrane ◽

Ro Membrane

Reverse osmosis (RO) is considered as the most widely utilized technique worldwide for water treatment. However, the commercial thin-film composite (TFC) membranes, which are normally made of polyamide (PA) through interfacial polymerization (IP), still experience certain major issues in performance and fabrication. The spin assisted layer-by-layer (SA-LbL) technique was established for overcoming some drawbacks with commercially available PA membranes. Also, recent investigations have recognized the nanoparticle inclusion into the selective layer as a powerful technique for improving the membrane efficiency. Hence, two different methodologies are presented here to improve the membrane performance, i.e., (1) SA-LbL technique to fabricate TFC membrane by the deposition of alternate ultrathin layers of different polyelectrolytes on polysulfone (PSF) commercial ultrafiltration membrane and (2) the nanoclay incorporation into the membranes during IP process to develop TFC membrane. Two types of nanoclays, cloisite (CS)-15A and montmorillonite (MNT), were incorporated to enhance the separation efficiency. This SA-LbL is an innovative method for the RO membrane manufacture, and has not been described earlier to the best of our knowledge. In addition, this work validated for the first time, the efficiency of the two nanoclays at the PA selective layer in the RO membrane. The membrane performance was evaluated using sodium chloride solution in a cross-flow permeation-testing cell for salt rejection and water flux. The results show significant improvement in water flux and salt rejection. The permeation test of 120 bilayers of poly (allylaminehydrochloride)/poly (vinylsulfate) on PSF substrate showed water flux of 37 L/ (m2.h) and salt rejection of 53%, for a 2000-ppm salt solution feed. The highest water flux of 40 L/m2.h with 80% salt rejection, relative to the control membrane was obtained for the membranes containing nanoclays at 25oC temperature, 40.0 bar pressure and 2000 ppm feed concentration. Thus, our study demonstrated that these TFC membranes are promising, and these novel fabrication techniques are great tool to manufacture the RO membrane.

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IMPACTS OF HYDROPHILIC NANOFILLERS ON SEPARATION PERFORMANCE OF THIN FILM NANOCOMPOSITE REVERSE OSMOSIS MEMBRANE

Jurnal Teknologi ◽

10.11113/jt.v78.10068 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 78 (12) ◽

Author(s):

C. Y. Chong ◽

G. S. Lai ◽

W. J. Lau ◽

N. Yusof ◽

P. S. Goh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thin Film ◽

Water Permeability ◽

Interfacial Polymerization ◽

Pure Water ◽

Water Flux ◽

Water Desalination ◽

Separation Performance ◽

Salt Rejection ◽

Tfc Membrane ◽

Thin Film Nanocomposite

The membrane technology is still considered a costly method to produce potable water. In view of this, RO membrane with enhanced water permeability without trade-off in salt rejection is desirable as it could further reduce the cost for water desalination. In this study, thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes containing 0.05 or 0.10 w/v% hydrophilic nanofillers in polyamide layer were synthesized via interfacial polymerization of piperazine and trimesoyl chloride monomers. The resultant TFN membranes were characterized and compared with a control thin film composite (TFC) membrane. Results from the filtration experiments showed that TFN membranes exhibited higher water permeability, salt rejection and fouling resistance compared to that of the TFC membrane. Excessive amount of nanofillers incorporated in the membrane PA layer however negatively affected the cross-linking in the polymer matrix, thus deteriorating the membrane salt rejection. TFN membrane containing 0.05 w/v% of nanofillers showed better performances than the TFC membrane, recording a pure water flux of 11.2 L/m2∙h, and salt rejection of 95.4%, 97.3% and 97.5% against NaCl, Na2SO4 and MgSO4, respectively.

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Grafted cellulose acetate reverse osmosis membrane using 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid for water desalination

Water Science & Technology Water Supply ◽

10.2166/ws.2016.025 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 1046-1056 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ashraf Morsy ◽

Shaker Ebrahim ◽

El-Refaie Kenawy ◽

Tarek Abdel-Fattah ◽

Sherif Kandil

Keyword(s):

Cellulose Acetate ◽

Reverse Osmosis ◽

Membrane Surface ◽

Water Flux ◽

Contact Angles ◽

Water Desalination ◽

Salt Rejection ◽

Morphological Studies ◽

Phase Inversion Technique ◽

Ro Membrane

Reverse osmosis (RO) membranes based on cellulose acetate (CA), were prepared using a phase inversion technique. To improve the hydrophilicity, salt rejection and water flux of these membranes, a novel grafting of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPSA) was added on the top surface of the CA-RO membranes. The grafted CA-RO membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. It was found that the contact angles were 58° and 45° for pristine CA and 15 wt% grafted CA-RO membranes, respectively, which suggest an increase in the membrane surface hydrophilicity after grafting. The morphological studies of the surface of the pristine CA-RO membrane revealed a typical ridge-and-valley morphology and displayed a relatively high surface roughness of 337 nm, and a significant decrease at 15 wt% of grafted CA-RO membrane to 7 nm. The effect of the grafting percentages of AMPSA on the water flux and salt rejection was studied using a cross flow RO unit. The salt rejection and water flux of the grafted CA-RO membrane with 15 wt% were 99.03% and 6 L/m2h, respectively.

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Preparation of TFC Membranes Supported with Elelctrospun Nanofibers for Desalination by Forward Osmosis

10.5194/dwes-2020-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mustafa Al-Furaiji ◽

Mohammed Kadhom ◽

Khairi Kalash ◽

Basma Waisi ◽

Noor Albayati

Keyword(s):

High Performance ◽

Interfacial Polymerization ◽

Water Flux ◽

Applied Pressure ◽

Forward Osmosis ◽

Electrospinning Process ◽

Water Desalination ◽

Polymerization Reaction ◽

Salt Rejection ◽

Tfc Membrane

Abstract. Forward osmosis (FO) process has been considered as a viable option for water desalination in comparison to the traditional processes like reverse osmosis regarding the energy consumption and economical operation. In this work, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber support layer was prepared using electrospinning process as a modern method. Then, an interfacial polymerization reaction between m-phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) was carried out to generate a polyamide selective thin film composite (TFC) membrane on the support layer. The TFC membrane was tested in FO mode (feed solution facing the active layer) using standard methodology and compared to a commercially available cellulose triacetate membrane (CTA). The synthesized membrane showed a high performance in terms of water flux (16 L m−2 h−1) but traded the salt rejection (4 g m−2 h−1) comparing with the commercially CTA membrane (water flux = 13 L m−2 h−1 and salt rejection = 3 g m−2 h−1) at no applied pressure and room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle, mechanical properties, porosity, and performance characterizations were conducted to examine the membrane.

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Effects of DMSO and glycerol additives on the property of polyamide reverse osmosis membrane

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2016.367 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 74 (7) ◽

pp. 1619-1625 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fengjing Wu ◽

Xiaojuan Liu ◽

Chaktong Au

Keyword(s):

Contact Angle ◽

Reverse Osmosis ◽

Water Contact Angle ◽

Interfacial Polymerization ◽

Water Flux ◽

Cross Flow ◽

Interfacial Free Energy ◽

Polymerization Process ◽

Water Contact ◽

Salt Rejection

The polyamide reverse osmosis (RO) membranes were prepared through interfacial polymerization of m-phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC). The use of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and glycerol as additives for the formation of thin-film composite (TFC) was investigated. We studied the effect of DMSO and glycerol addition on membrane property and RO performance. Microscopic morphology was examined by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The surface hydrophilicity was characterized on the basis of water contact angle and surface solid–liquid interfacial free energy (−ΔGSL). Water flux and salt rejection ability of the membranes prepared with or without the additives were evaluated by cross-flow RO tests. The results reveal that the addition of DMSO and glycerol strongly influences the property of the TFC RO membrane. Compared to the MPD/TMC membrane fabricated without DMSO and glycerol, the MPD/TMC/DMSO/glycerol membrane has a rougher surface and is more hydrophilic, showing smaller water contact angle and larger −ΔGSL value. Without decrease in salt rejection ability, the MPD/TMC/DMSO/glycerol membrane shows water flux significantly larger than that of the MPD/TMC membrane. The unique property of the MPD/TMC/DMSO/glycerol membrane is attributed to the cooperative effect of DMSO and glycerol on membrane structure during the interfacial polymerization process.

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PREPARATION OF AN ORGANOSILICA-BASED MEMBRANE FROM TEOS-MTES AND ITS APPLICATION FOR DESALINATION OF WETLAND SALINE WATER

Konversi ◽

10.20527/k.v9i2.9392 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Lilis Septyaningrum ◽

Rahmawati Rahmawati ◽

Fitri Ria Mustalifah ◽

Aulia Rahma ◽

Dewi Puspita Sari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saline Water ◽

Sol Gel ◽

Water Flux ◽

Water Desalination ◽

Clean Water ◽

Water Fluxes ◽

Salt Rejection ◽

Membrane Performance ◽

Wetland Water ◽

Hot Season

When hot season, South Kalimantan society which especially, in Muara Halyung village frequently go through clean water lacking. It becomes worst by water dirtied on wetland aquifer aftermath the seawater intrusion. Wetland water sources become saline and cannot be used for household needs. Organosilica membrane technology is one of methods can be used to remove salt contain in water. This study aims are to investigate the functionalization and organosilica membrane performance from TEOS-MTES which calcined on particularly temperature for wetland saline water desalination. Synthesis of organosilica sol was conducted by sol-gel method. Then the dried sol was calcined at 350°C and 600 °C, and characterized by FTIR (Fourier Transform InfraRed). Subsequently organosilica membrane was applicated for wetland saline water desalination via pervaporation. The result shows organosilica membrane performance was obtained the water flux 10,55 and 0,87 kg.m-2h-1 which calcined at 350 and 600 °C. The salt rejection in all membrane exhibits extremely high over 99%. It evinces the organosilica membrane from TEOS-MTES which calcined at 350 °C is great to applicated for wetland saline water desalination by both of water fluxes and salt rejection showed high.

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TiO2 Polyamide Thin Film Nanocomposite Reverses Osmosis Membrane for Water Desalination

Membranes ◽

10.3390/membranes8030066 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 66 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Ahmed Al Mayyahi

Keyword(s):

Thin Film ◽

Interfacial Polymerization ◽

Water Flux ◽

Water Desalination ◽

Fouling Resistance ◽

Force Microscopy ◽

Membrane Performance ◽

Angle Measurements ◽

Membrane Characterization ◽

Trimesoyl Chloride

In this study, TiO2 nanoparticles were inserted into the polyamide layer of traditional thin film composite membrane. The nanoparticles were dispersed in a trimesoyl chloride-hexane solution before interfacial polymerization with m-phenylenediamine-aqueous solution. Membrane characterization was performed via contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and water flux, salt rejection, and fouling resistance evaluation. The results indicate that TiO2 could effectively improve membrane performance. Water flux increased from 40 to 65 L/m² h by increasing NPs concentration from 0 to 0.1 wt. %, while NaCl rejection was above 96%. Moreover, the modified membrane demonstrated better organic fouling resistance and robust antibacterial efficiency.

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Organically Modified Nanoclay Filled Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membranes for Reverse Osmosis Application

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma12223803 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (22) ◽

pp. 3803 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Syed Zaidi ◽

Farid Fadhillah ◽

Haleema Saleem ◽

Alaa Hawari ◽

Abdelbaki Benamor

Keyword(s):

Thin Film ◽

Reverse Osmosis ◽

Interfacial Polymerization ◽

Water Flux ◽

Membrane Properties ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

Membrane Performance ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

First Time ◽

Hexane Solution

This study validates, for the first time, the effectiveness of two nanoclays, that is, cloisite (CS)-15A and montmorillonite (MNT) at the polyamide (PA) active layer in the reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. Cloisite-15A is natural montmorillonite modified with dimethyl dihydrogenated tallow quaternary ammonium salt. Thin-film composite (TFC) membranes were fabricated by the interfacial polymerization (IP) process between the trimesoylchloride (TMC)–n-hexane solution and m-phenylenediamine (MPD)–aqueous solution; the IP process took place on a polysulfone support sheet. The two types of nanoparticles were added in various weight ratios (0.005 wt.%–0.04 wt.%) in the n-hexane solution of TMC. Different characterizations like X-ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and membrane performance tests were performed to analyse the membrane properties. Both XRD and TEM studies proved that the two nanoclays are successfully anchored at the different sites of the PA layer. CS-15A could accelerate the water flux from 15 to 18.65 L/m2·h with NaCl rejection enhancement from 72% to 80%, relative to the control membrane. Conversely, MNT also enhanced the flux from 15 to 40 L/m2·h, but NaCl rejection reduced from 70% to 23%. The mechanism of water uptake in nanoclays was also discussed. The results pave the way for a complete future study, in which these phenomena should be studied in great detail.

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Enhancing chlorine resistance in polyamide membranes with surface & structure modification strategies

Water Science & Technology Water Supply ◽

10.2166/ws.2021.358 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Muhammad Faisal Idrees ◽

Umar Tariq

Keyword(s):

Reverse Osmosis ◽

Exposure Time ◽

Carbon Nitride ◽

Water Flux ◽

Structure Modification ◽

Salt Rejection ◽

Nitrogen Doped Graphene ◽

Doped Graphene ◽

Ro Membrane ◽

Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots

Abstract Higher efficient reverse osmosis (RO) membrane development is a significant issue due to the payoff among salt rejection and water flux and permissive chlorine attacking and fouling potential. Weak chlorine resistance is a distinctive challenge for composite polyamide thin-film reverse osmosis membranes. A commercial aromatic membrane was modified by grafting nitrogen-doped graphene oxide quantum dots (N-GOQDs) to enhance chlorine resistance, embedding two-dimensional MXene Ti3C2Tx, introducing synthetically reductive thioether units and oxidized graphitic carbon nitride (OGCN). In this work, salt rejection, chlorine resistance, and water flux increased compared to the pristine membrane. Comprehensive arrangement of desalination performance and chlorine resistance achieved by varying time and concentrations of prepared chemicals. For instance, improved chlorine resistance, after 12 hours of grafting time by N-GOQDs dopped membrane was 32.8%, after 6 hours of exposure time by MXene Ti3C2Tx membrane was 27.4%, after 1 hour of exposure time by thioether membrane was 28.1% and after 40 hours of doping time by OGCN membrane was 31.3%. N-GOQDs dopped membrane showed a good chlorine resistant property, but on the other hand, thioether nano units showed other properties more effectively, including water flux, salt rejection, and less reaction time.

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