Advanced Polymeric Membranes Suitable for Water Treatment

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2023) | Viewed by 8544

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Structure of Matter, Thermal Physics and Electronics, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: membrane science and technology; membrane design, preparation, characterization and modification; membrane engineering; polymeric membrane; polymer solution characterization; phase inversion; dry/wet spinning; wet/wet spinning; hollow fiber membrane; membrane morphology and structure; water treatment; membrane distillation; desalination; transport phenomena; complex fluids; thermodiffusion; fluctuating hydrodynamics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Water treatment using membrane technology processes represents a significant contribution towards improving sustainable water management. Polymeric membranes are widely used in these processes, their suitable development being a research topic of increasing current interest. Membrane engineers are endeavoring to prepare advanced polymeric membranes that fulfill the specific requirements of each water treatment process to enhance their performance.

This Special Issue covers all kinds of polymeric membranes of different geometries (i.e. flat-sheet, hollow fiber, electrospun nanofibrous, etc) with advanced properties and structures (e.g. mixed-matrix, multi-layered, micro-structured, etc) for their application in different water treatment processes (e.g. micro/ultra/nano filtration, reverse/forward osmosis, membrane distillation, etc). Different strategies can be followed to meet this objective focusing on the research of new materials (e.g. polymers, additives, nanoparticles, green solvents), improved and tailored preparation methodologies, or innovative modification procedures. Ideally, green polymeric membrane preparation is advisable for an eco-friendly implementation of the process. Materials with sustainable properties such as biopolymers, or the recovery and recycling of discarded membranes are also some interesting alternatives. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications about experimental or theoretical studies, or simulations concerning polymeric membranes for water treatment are welcome.

Dr. Loreto García Fernández
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

  • Polymeric membrane
  • Flat-sheet membrane
  • Hollow fiber membrane
  • Electrospun nanofibrous membrane
  • Phase inversion
  • Spinning
  • Electrospinning
  • Membrane engineering
  • Membrane design
  • Membrane modification
  • Nanocomposite membrane
  • Mixed matrix membrane
  • Multi-layered membrane
  • Micro-structured membrane
  • Green membrane
  • Recycled membrane
  • Biopolymer
  • Nanoparticle
  • Green solvent
  • Desalination
  • Wastewater
  • Membrane distillation
  • Pervaporation
  • Reverse osmosis
  • Forward osmosis
  • Micro/ultra/nano filtration

Published Papers (4 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

14 pages, 4244 KiB  
Article
Effect of Textile Wastewater Secondary Effluent on UF Membrane Characteristics
by Iva Ćurić, Davor Dolar, Josip Horvat and Katia Grgić
Polymers 2022, 14(10), 2035; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14102035 - 16 May 2022
Viewed by 1319
Abstract
The influence of textile wastewater (TWW) secondary effluent on ultrafiltration (UF) membrane characteristics was investigated. TWW treated with a membrane bioreactor was subjected to four commercial UF membranes (2, 3, 5, and 10 kDa). Both the pristine membranes and the membranes after TWW [...] Read more.
The influence of textile wastewater (TWW) secondary effluent on ultrafiltration (UF) membrane characteristics was investigated. TWW treated with a membrane bioreactor was subjected to four commercial UF membranes (2, 3, 5, and 10 kDa). Both the pristine membranes and the membranes after TWW secondary effluent treatment were characterized. Surface roughness, microscopic analysis of the membrane surface and cross-section, zeta potential, contact angle, membrane composition, and membrane flux were compared. After treatment of secondary effluent, the zeta potential decreased for 5 and 10 kDa membranes, while the contact angle and surface roughness increased for all investigated membranes. In addition, a fouling layer formed on all membranes, and new interactions with pollutants and membranes were confirmed. Membranes with larger pores (5 and 10 kDa) showed a greater decrease in permeate flux during treatment. Detailed analysis showed variations in membrane characteristics after TWW secondary effluent treatment, indicating the stability of the membranes used. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Membranes Suitable for Water Treatment)
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 42381 KiB  
Article
Statistical Analysis of Synthesis Parameters to Fabricate PVDF/PVP/TiO2 Membranes via Phase-Inversion with Enhanced Filtration Performance and Photocatalytic Properties
by Erika Nascimben Santos, Ákos Fazekas, Cecilia Hodúr, Zsuzsanna László, Sándor Beszédes, Daniele Scheres Firak, Tamás Gyulavári, Klára Hernádi, Gangasalam Arthanareeswaran and Gábor Veréb
Polymers 2022, 14(1), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14010113 - 29 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1961
Abstract
Non-solvent induced phase-inversion is one of the most used methods to fabricate membranes. However, there are only a few studies supported by statistical analysis on how the different fabrication conditions affect the formation and performance of membranes. In this paper, a central composite [...] Read more.
Non-solvent induced phase-inversion is one of the most used methods to fabricate membranes. However, there are only a few studies supported by statistical analysis on how the different fabrication conditions affect the formation and performance of membranes. In this paper, a central composite design was employed to analyze how different fabrication conditions affect the pure water flux, pore size, and photocatalytic activity of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was used to form pores, and titanium dioxide (TiO2) to ensure the photocatalytic activity of the membranes. The studied bath temperatures (15 to 25 °C) and evaporation times (0 to 60 s) did not significantly affect the pore size and pure water flux of the membranes. The concentration of PVDF (12.5 to 17.5%) affected the viscosity, formation capability, and pore sizes. PVDF at high concentrations resulted in membranes with small pore sizes. PVP affected the pore size and should be used to a limited extent to avoid possible hole formation. TiO2 contents were responsible for the decolorization of a methyl orange solution (10−5 M) up to 90% over the period studied (30 h). A higher content of TiO2 did not increase the decolorization rate. Acidic conditions increased the photocatalytic activity of the TiO2-membranes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Membranes Suitable for Water Treatment)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

18 pages, 5719 KiB  
Article
Removal of Ibuprofen from Water by Different Types Membranes
by Mahdi Bourassi, Magda Kárászová, Mariia Pasichnyk, Raul Zazpe, Jana Herciková, Vlastimil Fíla, Jan M. Macak and Jana Gaálová
Polymers 2021, 13(23), 4082; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13234082 - 24 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2236
Abstract
Ibuprofen separation from water by adsorption and pertraction processes has been studied, comparing 16 different membranes. Tailor-made membranes based on Matrimid, Ultem, and diaminobenzene/diaminobenzoic acid with various contents of zeolite and graphene oxide, have been compared to the commercial polystyrene, polypropylene, and polydimethylsiloxane [...] Read more.
Ibuprofen separation from water by adsorption and pertraction processes has been studied, comparing 16 different membranes. Tailor-made membranes based on Matrimid, Ultem, and diaminobenzene/diaminobenzoic acid with various contents of zeolite and graphene oxide, have been compared to the commercial polystyrene, polypropylene, and polydimethylsiloxane polymeric membranes. Experimental results revealed lower ibuprofen adsorption onto commercial membranes than onto tailor-made membranes (10–15% compared to 50–70%). However, the mechanical stability of commercial membranes allowed the pertraction process application, which displayed a superior quantity of ibuprofen eliminated. Additionally, the saturation of the best-performing commercial membrane, polydimethylsiloxane, was notably prevented by atomic layer deposition of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Membranes Suitable for Water Treatment)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 3871 KiB  
Article
The Use of Surface-Modified Nanocrystalline Cellulose Integrated Membranes to Remove Drugs from Waste Water and as Polymers to Clean Oil Sands Tailings Ponds
by John Jackson, Ali Moallemi, Mu Chiao and David Plackett
Polymers 2021, 13(22), 3899; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13223899 - 11 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1835
Abstract
There is an urgent environmental need to remediate waste water. In this study, the use of surface-modified nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) to remove polluting drugs or chemicals from waste water and oil sands tailing ponds has been investigated. CNC was modified by either surface [...] Read more.
There is an urgent environmental need to remediate waste water. In this study, the use of surface-modified nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) to remove polluting drugs or chemicals from waste water and oil sands tailing ponds has been investigated. CNC was modified by either surface adsorbing cationic or hydrophobic species or by covalent methods and integrated into membrane water filters. The removal of either diclofenac or estradiol from water was studied. Similar non-covalently modified CNC materials were used to flocculate clays from water or to bind naphthenic acids which are contaminants in tailing ponds. Estradiol bound well to hydrophobically modified CNC membrane filter systems. Similarly, diclofenac (anionic drug) bound well to covalently cationically modified CNC membranes. Non-covalent modified CNC effectively flocculated clay particles in water and bound two naphthenic acid chemicals (negatively charged and hydrophobic). Modified CNC integrated into water filter membranes may remove drugs from waste or drinking water and contaminants from tailing ponds water. Furthermore, the ability of modified CNC to flocculate clays particles and bind naphthenic acids may allow for the addition of modified CNC directly to tailing ponds to remove both contaminants. CNC offers an environmentally friendly, easily transportable and disposable novel material for water remediation purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Membranes Suitable for Water Treatment)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop