Journal Description
Membranes
Membranes
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal covering the broad aspects of the science and technology of both biological and non-biological membranes, published monthly online by MDPI. The Membrane Society of Australasia (MSA) and Polish Membrane Society (PTMem) are affiliated with Membranes and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), Ei Compendex, PubMed, PMC, CAPlus / SciFinder, Inspec, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Polymer Science) / CiteScore - Q1 (Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous))
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 14.9 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 7.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2026).
- Recognition of Reviewers: Reviewers whose reports are timely and of high quality receive an APC discount voucher for a future publication in an MDPI journal. Become a reviewer.
- Journal Cluster of Polymer and Macromolecular Science: Polymers, Membranes, Gels, Polysaccharides, Textiles, Macromol, Microplastics and Adhesives.
Impact Factor:
4.2 (2025);
5-Year Impact Factor:
4.3 (2025)
Latest Articles
Effects of Barium Excess on the Performance of Multilayer Microtubular Proton Ceramic Electrochemical Hydrogen Pumps with BaxCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ (x = 1.05, 1.10, 1.15)
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090307 (registering DOI) - 20 Sep 2026
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A series of Ba-excess BaxCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ (BxCZYYb, x = 1.05, 1.10, 1.15) was employed as electrolytes. Multilayer microtubular protonic ceramic electrochemical hydrogen pumps (PCEHPs) with a current collector/anode/electrolyte/cathode/current collector architecture were
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A series of Ba-excess BaxCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ (BxCZYYb, x = 1.05, 1.10, 1.15) was employed as electrolytes. Multilayer microtubular protonic ceramic electrochemical hydrogen pumps (PCEHPs) with a current collector/anode/electrolyte/cathode/current collector architecture were fabricated by a triple-layer one-step co-spinning and co-sintering method. Their hydrogen separation performance was systematically investigated over the temperature range of 200–400 °C. The results show that the hydrogen pump employing the B1.05CZYYb electrolyte delivers the optimal performance. At 250 °C and a feed H2 concentration of 30 vol%, the hydrogen permeation flux achieves 1.01 mL min−1 cm−2, with Faradaic efficiency maintained above 95%. EDS line-scan results reveal the presence of Ni-rich precipitates on grain surfaces in the co-sintered electrolyte layer. It is speculated that, under the co-sintering conditions, excessive Ba may induce lattice distortion and reduce Ni solubility in the perovskite lattice, thereby promoting Ni exsolution at grain surfaces; the precipitated Ni could, in turn, hinder proton conduction and increase the ohmic resistance. These findings suggest that the hydrogen-permeation performance of multilayer PCEHPs is governed by the combined effect of Ba excess and Ni rather than by Ba doping alone. This work provides a valid experimental basis and theoretical reference for component optimization and structural design of high-performance co-sintered microtubular PCEHP devices.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
Sacrificial CaCO3 Precoating Preserves Fouling Reversibility of Ceramic Nanofiltration During Filtration of Real Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent
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Yuke Li, Luuk C. Rietveld and Sebastiaan G. J. Heijman
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090306 (registering DOI) - 18 Sep 2026
Abstract
Fouling of ceramic nanofiltration (NF) membranes becomes difficult to reverse when complex wastewater constituents accumulate directly on the selective layer. Sacrificial precoating may spatially separate foulant deposition from the membrane surface, but its effectiveness under real wastewater conditions remains insufficiently understood. A single
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Fouling of ceramic nanofiltration (NF) membranes becomes difficult to reverse when complex wastewater constituents accumulate directly on the selective layer. Sacrificial precoating may spatially separate foulant deposition from the membrane surface, but its effectiveness under real wastewater conditions remains insufficiently understood. A single CaCO3 precoating step was evaluated over three consecutive filtration–cleaning cycles using municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent. During three consecutive 6-h filtration cycles, precoating substantially improved the reversibility of hydraulic fouling. Permeability recovery reached 92% after the first cleaning and was 80% after the second cleaning, whereas the uncoated membrane recovered only 34% after the first cleaning and subsequently showed little effective recovery. The precoated system also exhibited markedly lower irreversible hydraulic resistance. In addition to fouling control, the mineral precoat altered solute removal in the complex wastewater matrix: DOC removal remained approximately 90%, while apparent phosphate removal increased from 38% for the uncoated membrane to 90% for the precoated system. These findings demonstrate that CaCO3 precoating acts as a sacrificial interfacial layer that preserves fouling reversibility during ceramic NF treatment of real WWTP effluent, while mineral–solute interactions may additionally contribute to the apparent removal of selected inorganic solutes.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ceramic Membranes for Wastewater and Water Reuse (2nd Edition))
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Open AccessArticle
Entropy-Driven Initiation and Cytoskeletal Viscoelasticity in Endocytosis: An Onsager Variational Framework
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Jinjie Liu, Zhongcan Ouyang and Hao Wu
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090305 - 16 Sep 2026
Abstract
Receptor-mediated endocytosis requires a particle to approach the cell membrane to within a few nanometers before ligand–receptor binding can occur. Existing continuum models often start from an already established contact and do not explicitly describe how crowding particles on the extracellular side influence
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Receptor-mediated endocytosis requires a particle to approach the cell membrane to within a few nanometers before ligand–receptor binding can occur. Existing continuum models often start from an already established contact and do not explicitly describe how crowding particles on the extracellular side influence the distribution of the particle near the membrane. We examine entropic depletion forces as one possible nonspecific contribution to this initial approach. For ideal depletants, the Asakura–Oosawa excluded-volume construction gives an exact depletion potential for the planar geometry before contact. The potential and force vanish continuously at the onset of excluded-volume overlap. This interaction provides a possible contribution to membrane proximity before specific binding, while its extension to curved wrapping geometries requires additional approximation. Within a reduced continuum model, we combine depletion attraction, ligand–receptor binding, membrane deformation, and cytoskeletal viscoelastic dissipation. The viscoelastic contact is formulated through a hereditary integral and a standard linear solid. The kinetic model gives a conditional minimum ligand density for complete engulfment, a finite particle-size window, and a stiffness-dependent upper limit. When the stationary radius lies inside the domain of finite positive wrapping times, the estimated wrapping time has a minimum at a radius that decreases with increasing binding energy density. At fixed viscosity and other independent parameters, the same time approximation predicts slower wrapping as cell stiffness increases. The two positive roots defining the size window merge at a limiting parameter value, which characterizes closure of the admissible size interval. Depletion attraction is interpreted as one possible contribution to particle-membrane association, alongside electrostatic interactions, steric effects, and membrane fluctuations. The present analysis identifies how nonspecific attraction, specific adhesion, and mechanical resistance can contribute to different stages of membrane wrapping.
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(This article belongs to the Section Biological Membranes)
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Open AccessArticle
Regulation of Membrane Association and Downstream Effector Interaction of K-Ras by Its Hypervariable Region
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Anda Trifan, Hossein Omidi Ardali, Josh V. Vermaas, Till Rudack and Emad Tajkhorshid
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090304 - 16 Sep 2026
Abstract
The small GTPase Ras, a central switch in signal transduction of cell growth, is a crucial element in the development of many forms of cancer. Recent studies have shown that membrane association of Ras is essential to its downstream effector recruitment and signal
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The small GTPase Ras, a central switch in signal transduction of cell growth, is a crucial element in the development of many forms of cancer. Recent studies have shown that membrane association of Ras is essential to its downstream effector recruitment and signal transduction. Here we investigate the membrane association and interaction of K-Ras4B, the most frequently found Ras isoform in tumor cells, using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations totaling 8.5 s. We find that the isoform-specific, farnesylated hypervariable region (HVR) of Ras plays an important role in the organization and oligomerization of its globular domain (G-domain) on the surface of the membrane. We show that the overall pose of the Ras G-domain on the membrane can be determined by its HVR. The HVR thus can control downstream effector binding by positioning the G-domain on the membrane in a specific orientation. Furthermore, we observe that the HVR alone already transiently dimerizes in the membrane and recruits negatively charged phosphatidylserine lipids around the K-Ras isoform-specific poly-lysine region. The observed HVR dimerization potentially can initiate the dimerization of the full K-Ras, which is essential for downstream effector signaling via various pathways. These atomistic details behind the molecular mechanism of the HVR provide novel insight into Ras interaction with membrane and its availability for downstream effectors.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Membranes In Silico—Unraveling Mechanisms Through Molecular Dynamics Simulations)
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Open AccessArticle
Optimization of 2D Ag-MBene-Modified Polyethersulfone Ultrafiltration Membranes for Enhanced Water Treatment Performance
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Asam Amin Almulla and Fikri T. Dweiri
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090303 - 15 Sep 2026
Abstract
Modified PES ultrafiltration membranes containing Ag-MBene nanoparticles were developed via the non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) technique and evaluated for tertiary-treated sewage (TSE) filtration applications. This study aims to establish an integrated understanding of membrane structure, properties, and performance by correlating morphology, roughness, hydrophilicity,
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Modified PES ultrafiltration membranes containing Ag-MBene nanoparticles were developed via the non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) technique and evaluated for tertiary-treated sewage (TSE) filtration applications. This study aims to establish an integrated understanding of membrane structure, properties, and performance by correlating morphology, roughness, hydrophilicity, porosity, permeability, antifouling properties, and pollutant rejection capabilities. Ag-MBene nanomaterials were incorporated into the PES membrane at various loading concentrations to increase the membrane hydrophilicity and antifouling characteristics. The detailed characterization of membrane samples was performed using SEM, AFM, EDS, FTIR, contact angle analysis, and porosity evaluation. The membranes exhibited distinct structural features after the addition of Ag-MBene nanomaterials. SEM analysis revealed enhanced macropore formation and increased pore interconnectivity at a relatively moderate loading concentration of nanoparticles. AFM analysis further confirmed progressive membrane roughness enhancement after incorporating Ag-MBene particles. The contact angle decreased from 81.2° (UF00) to 47.3° (UF1.5), indicating enhanced hydrophilicity of the modified membranes. UF0.5 exhibited the most balanced overall performance due to optimized pore morphology, improved wettability, and uniform nanoparticle dispersion. The modified membranes also exhibited enhanced flux performance, more reversible fouling behavior, and improved chemical oxygen demand (COD)/total suspended solids (TSS) removal efficiency than pristine membranes. ANOVA revealed significant differences among various membranes (p < 0.05), and the UF0.5 configuration was identified as the optimal membrane based on its balanced structural and performance characteristics. These findings demonstrate that balanced optimization of membrane morphology, hydrophilicity, and nanoparticle dispersion is essential for maximizing ultrafiltration performance.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Membrane Technologies for Hypersaline Wastewater, Groundwater, and Seawater Desalination)
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Open AccessReview
A Three-Dimensional Framework for Rational Ion Separation with Polymeric Membrane Systems
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George Bess-Palacios, Guillermo González-Sánchez, Claudia Alejandra Hernández-Escobar, Claudia Ivone Piñón-Balderrama, Miguel Alonso Orozco-Alvarado, América Susana Mares-García, Anayansi Estrada-Monje and Erasto Armando Zaragoza-Contreras
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090302 - 15 Sep 2026
Abstract
This review treats selective ion separation in polymeric membrane systems as a design problem rather than as a fixed material property. To address the gap between laboratory performance and process-level relevance, a three-dimensional analytical framework that integrates transport mechanism, dynamic structural state, and
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This review treats selective ion separation in polymeric membrane systems as a design problem rather than as a fixed material property. To address the gap between laboratory performance and process-level relevance, a three-dimensional analytical framework that integrates transport mechanism, dynamic structural state, and separation-matrix complexity is proposed. Five research streams are compared: polymer inclusion membranes, ion-exchange membranes and electrodialysis, nanostructured and subnanometric frameworks, composite architectures, and polymer inclusion membrane – electrodialysis (PIM-ED) hybrids. The comparison shows that selectivity is governed not only by the nominal membrane mechanism, but also by hydration-driven structural changes and by the complexity of the operating matrix. Overall, the framework provides a common basis for interpreting selectivity, comparing membrane families, and guiding rational design for ion-separation processes.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Polymeric Membranes—Preparation and Applications (2nd Edition))
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Conducting Polymer-Based Nanofluidic Membranes for Osmotic Energy Conversion
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Sinuo Zhou, Chengyang Jia, Ying Zhang, Boyu Sun, Xin Xi, Shuhan Yang, Lipeng Liu, Guoyu Zhang, Xiaoyan Nie, Qiang Wang, Siqi Liu, Yanan Xie and Zhenhang Wang
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 301; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090301 - 14 Sep 2026
Abstract
Osmotic energy conversion (blue energy), serving as a sustainable marine renewable energy source, converts Gibbs free energy originating from salt concentration differences into electric power by virtue of ion-selective nanofluidic membranes. Conventional commercial ion-exchange polymer membranes suffer from inherent limitations, including low transmembrane
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Osmotic energy conversion (blue energy), serving as a sustainable marine renewable energy source, converts Gibbs free energy originating from salt concentration differences into electric power by virtue of ion-selective nanofluidic membranes. Conventional commercial ion-exchange polymer membranes suffer from inherent limitations, including low transmembrane flux, insufficient ion permselectivity, severe interfacial concentration polarization, poor salt tolerance, and unsatisfactory long-term structural stability. These drawbacks greatly restrict the energy conversion efficiency and large-scale engineering application of reverse electrodialysis (RED). Conductive polymers (CPs), mainly including polypyrrole (PPy), polyaniline (PANI), polythiophene (PTh), and their derivatives, possess the distinctive merits of tunable surface charge density and polarity, outstanding electronic conductivity, facile nanochannel structural regulation, and reversible redox responsiveness, making them ideal building blocks for advanced nanofluidic membranes for high-efficiency osmotic energy conversion. This review summarizes recent progress in the fabrication of conductive polymer-based nanofluidic membranes, comprehensively compares the osmotic output performance of typical CP material systems, and discusses the core metrics of osmotic energy conversion output performance. By providing an overview of these developments, this review aims to offer insights into the future development of conductive polymer-based nanofluidic membranes for osmotic energy conversion.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Confined Transport in Advanced Membranes for Enhanced Filtration and Desalination: From Mechanisms to Scalable Applications)
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Open AccessArticle
Eco-Friendly Solvent-Based Fabrication of Single-Layer and Polydopamine-Modified Bilayer PVDF-HFP Membranes
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Tridwip Sen, Eesh Kulshrestha, Muhammad Usman Yousaf, Minwoo Jung, Tequila A. L. Harris and Isabel C. Escobar
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090300 - 13 Sep 2026
Abstract
Polymeric membrane systems have emerged as an effective approach for water separations due to their high separation efficiency, simplicity, and adaptability to a wide range of water treatment applications. However, traditional membrane fabrication processes often rely on toxic organic solvents, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone
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Polymeric membrane systems have emerged as an effective approach for water separations due to their high separation efficiency, simplicity, and adaptability to a wide range of water treatment applications. However, traditional membrane fabrication processes often rely on toxic organic solvents, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and dimethylacetamide (DMAc), which pose environmental and health risks. Eco-friendly solvents have been investigated as an alternative to traditional toxic solvents. This study investigates the fabrication and performance of polymeric membranes using eco-friendly solvent systems, with a focus on bilayer membranes designed to improve separation performance over traditional single-layer membranes. Membranes were fabricated using eco-friendly solvents, Rhodiasolv© PolarClean and gamma-valerolactone in combination with polymers polysulfone (PSf) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP). Membranes were fabricated using nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) through doctor blade extrusion (DBE) and slot-die coating (SDC) methods in order to compare traditional laboratory-scale casting methods (DBE) with scalable fabrication techniques (SDC). Bilayer membranes were investigated to address limitations presented by single-layer membranes, with polydopamine (PDA) incorporated as an adhesion-promoting additive. Membrane characterization included scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurements, and tensile testing, along with water permeability and solute rejection tests. Results showed that polymer concentration and casting method influenced permeability and solute rejection, with the SDC bilayers reaching the highest initial BSA rejection. Filtration used deionized water and model aqueous feeds containing 100 ppm NaCl, 100 ppm CaCl2, and 100 ppm bovine serum albumin (BSA).
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(This article belongs to the Collection Polymeric Membranes: Science, Materials and Applications)
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Open AccessArticle
Full-Scale Multistage Pressure-Retarded Osmosis for Osmotic Energy Generation: Optimization of Specific and Net Energy Production
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Daniel Suárez-Alfonso and Alejandro Ruiz-García
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 299; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090299 - 12 Sep 2026
Abstract
Salinity gradient energy, also known as blue energy, is a clean and renewable option for electricity generation with no direct CO2 emissions. Among the available technologies, pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) stands out, although its large-scale implementation is not yet economically viable, so predictive
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Salinity gradient energy, also known as blue energy, is a clean and renewable option for electricity generation with no direct CO2 emissions. Among the available technologies, pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) stands out, although its large-scale implementation is not yet economically viable, so predictive models are essential to assess its real potential. In the present work, a multistage PRO system of up to three stages, with one–three hollow-fiber membrane modules (HFMMs) arranged in series per stage, was simulated and the operating conditions were optimized. The model accounts for axial pressure drops, feed concentration and draw dilution along each module, considering two salinity gradients of 29.5 and 59.5 g L−1. The maximum net specific energy generation reached 421.48 Wh m−3 with three stages under the 59.5 g L−1 gradient. Adding HFMMs in series benefited the two-stage system but slightly penalized the three-stage one, and the net specific energy decreased monotonically as the ratio of pressure vessels between the first and the second stage increased. At least three stages are therefore required for a full-scale PRO system to become a net energy producer at moderate salinity gradients, and further energy should be sought through additional staging rather than through longer series.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Desalination and Salinity Gradient Energy: Process Modeling, Optimization, and Advanced Control)
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Open AccessArticle
The Effects of Ca2+ on Membrane Potential with Altered Function of NALCN and K2P Channels
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Youngwoo Kim, Jiwoo Kim and Robin L. Cooper
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090298 - 11 Sep 2026
Abstract
Cells exhibit a membrane potential due to the differential distribution of ions and the density of channels, pumps, and exchangers. It is known in larval Drosophila that the membrane potential gravitates towards the equilibrium potential of K+ due to the high density
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Cells exhibit a membrane potential due to the differential distribution of ions and the density of channels, pumps, and exchangers. It is known in larval Drosophila that the membrane potential gravitates towards the equilibrium potential of K+ due to the high density of K2P channels. Higher extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) tends to drive the resting membrane potential to a more negative state, while lowering it has an opposite effect. The expression of the K2P channel and NALCN was altered genetically to determine the sensitivity to changes in [Ca2+]o, and computational simulations using the theoretical Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation allowed estimating changes in ion (Na+) permeability due to altered function of the NALCN. Increasing [Ca2+]o hyperpolarized the membrane potential, and decreasing [Ca2+]o depolarized it, likely because Ca2+ ions block NALCN. An accessory protein to NALCN and NALCN itself were targeted by RNAi. Overexpression of K2P channels and decreased NALCN function reduced the effect of altered [Ca2+]o on membrane potential. Given the limited understanding of how altered membrane potentials affect cells, this study provides a foundation for future investigations into how cells respond to variations in [Ca2+]o under altered K2P and NALCN expression.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biological Membranes)
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Open AccessArticle
Structural Design of Ceramic Membranes to Mitigate Fouling in Membrane Bioreactors
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Boyang Yu, Chao Fan and Tuo Sun
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090297 - 10 Sep 2026
Abstract
Despite the robust mechanical and chemical stability that make hollow flat-sheet ceramic membranes highly attractive for membrane bioreactors (MBRs), the fundamental relationship between their structural design, specifically pore size and structural symmetry, and biological fouling behavior remains elusive. To decouple the effects of
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Despite the robust mechanical and chemical stability that make hollow flat-sheet ceramic membranes highly attractive for membrane bioreactors (MBRs), the fundamental relationship between their structural design, specifically pore size and structural symmetry, and biological fouling behavior remains elusive. To decouple the effects of membrane architecture on fouling mechanisms, a series of symmetric and asymmetric hollow flat-sheet alumina membranes were systematically engineered. Symmetric architectures with tunable pore sizes were fabricated by controlling aggregate particle sizes, whereas asymmetric counterparts featuring distinct separation layer thicknesses were developed via a tailored dip-coating process. Long-term operational evaluations treating municipal wastewater uncovered a counterintuitive phenomenon. Asymmetric membranes, despite yielding superior retention, experienced markedly accelerated transmembrane pressure evolution and severe cake layer fouling compared to the symmetric supports. Resistance-in-series analysis coupled with classical filtration models demonstrated that thicker separation layers and larger pore sizes were associated with shifts in the dominant fouling mechanism toward rapid and dense cake layer formation, which significantly exacerbated irreversible biological fouling. Furthermore, advanced spectroscopic and high-throughput sequencing techniques revealed that structurally complex asymmetric layers were associated with shifts in extracellular polymeric substances and specific fouling-associated bacterial phyla at the membrane interface. Ultimately, these findings underscore the necessity of architectural optimization to mitigate biofouling and prolong the operational lifespan of ceramic membranes, highlighting the sustainable advantages of symmetric structures.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ceramic Membranes in Harsh Gas Environments: Exploring the Potential for Practical Applications)
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Open AccessArticle
β-FeOOH-Loaded Polydopamine-Modified Halloysite Nanotubes as a Catalytic Interlayer for Enhanced Water Dissociation in Bipolar Membranes
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Haotian Wang, Rui Yang, Jie Wang, Kui Lou and Yunshuang Fan
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 296; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090296 - 10 Sep 2026
Abstract
Efficient interfacial water dissociation is essential for reducing the operating voltage of bipolar membranes (BPMs), whereas aggregation and nonuniform distribution of nanoscale catalysts can limit active-site utilization. In this study, polydopamine-modified halloysite nanotubes (PDA@HNTs) were used as a support for β-FeOOH loading to
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Efficient interfacial water dissociation is essential for reducing the operating voltage of bipolar membranes (BPMs), whereas aggregation and nonuniform distribution of nanoscale catalysts can limit active-site utilization. In this study, polydopamine-modified halloysite nanotubes (PDA@HNTs) were used as a support for β-FeOOH loading to construct a composite catalytic interlayer for BPMs. XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM, TEM, EDS mapping, contact-angle measurements, electrochemical tests, and bipolar membrane electrodialysis were used to evaluate the interlayer structure and membrane performance. At 50 mA cm−2, the β-FeOOH-PDA@HNTs-BPM exhibited a transmembrane voltage of 0.94 V, compared with 2.15 V for the blank BPM, while the interfacial water-dissociation resistance decreased from 3.873 to 0.980 Ω. After 48 h of continuous operation, the voltage increased only from 0.94 to 0.98 V. In electrodialysis, the membrane achieved a current efficiency of 81.4% and an energy consumption of 3.3 kWh kg−1 after 180 min. PDA-functionalized HNTs promote the dispersion and interfacial association of β-FeOOH, improve interfacial wettability and catalytic-site accessibility, and thereby enhance water dissociation and acid/base production in BPMs.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design, Synthesis and Applications of Ion Exchange Membranes)
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Open AccessArticle
Research on the Characteristics of Heat Transfer and Mass Transfer of Imitation Heart Pulse Membrane Distillation
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Xiaoxuan Zhu, Zhoujun Lan, Zhuang Song, Peng Wang, Derong Duan and Zhongyi Jiang
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090295 - 9 Sep 2026
Abstract
Membrane distillation, a separation technology, has drawn wide attention in industries such as seawater desalination and high-salinity wastewater treatment. However, conventional steady-flow operation suffers from flux decline and membrane fouling, while standard square-wave and sine-wave pulsations provide limited enhancement and stability. To address
[...] Read more.
Membrane distillation, a separation technology, has drawn wide attention in industries such as seawater desalination and high-salinity wastewater treatment. However, conventional steady-flow operation suffers from flux decline and membrane fouling, while standard square-wave and sine-wave pulsations provide limited enhancement and stability. To address these issues, this study introduces heartbeat-mimicking pulsatile flow. Its effects on membrane distillation performance were evaluated through comparative (steady vs. pulsatile) experiments, a three-level orthogonal experiment, and tests with various feed solutions and modified membranes. Results show that, under baseline conditions, the heartbeat-mimicking pulsatile flow yielded a 17.5% higher average flux than steady flow, while its conductivity increase was only 25%, far below the 93% for steady flow. In the orthogonal experiment, the heartbeat-mimicking waveform accounted for the largest proportion of total variance (50.1%) among the tested parameters. Furthermore, compared to traditional sine or square waves, this biomimetic pulsation features unique acceleration-rest characteristics, making it highly applicable to complex feed solutions and effectively mitigating membrane fouling. This study aims to identify a new pulsation mode that can overcome the limitations of steady-flow membrane distillation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Water Sustainability: Progress, Applications, and Challenges in Membrane Technology)
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Open AccessArticle
Robust Yet Conductive Blend Anion Exchange Membranes for Hydrogen Production via PPO Reinforcement of Highly Functionalized Styrene–Butadiene-Based Ionomers
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Andrea Roggi, Marco Turriani, Margherita Di Pede, Gabriele Agonigi, Antonio Filpi, Claudio Resta, Elisa Guazzelli and Elisa Martinelli
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090294 - 2 Sep 2026
Abstract
Herein, vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC)-grafted styrene-butadiene (SB) copolymers, with high contents of VBC (22–32 mol%), were synthesized and blended with low amounts (n = 3–10 wt%) of unfunctionalized poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO). Being well-known for its great chemical compatibility with polystyrene, PPO was selected
[...] Read more.
Herein, vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC)-grafted styrene-butadiene (SB) copolymers, with high contents of VBC (22–32 mol%), were synthesized and blended with low amounts (n = 3–10 wt%) of unfunctionalized poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO). Being well-known for its great chemical compatibility with polystyrene, PPO was selected as non-conductive, hydrophobic and mechanically robust component to be blended with graft copolymers in order to reduce their water uptake, thus improving their dimensional and mechanical stability after quaternization with trimethylamine. The resulting blend membranes were characterized in terms of thermal, mechanical, and ex situ electrochemical properties. Blend membranes generally presented improved mechanical properties, as well as reduced water uptake with respect to AEMs not containing PPO, while retaining ion conductivity values of 11.3–16.6 mS cm−1, higher than that of a commercial hydrocarbon-based benchmark. Among the investigated blend AEMs, g-VBC-32/PPOn membranes were found to have the highest conductivity values (>15 mS cm−1) and the best trade-off between water uptake, mechanical properties and hydrogen permeability. Overall, these results highlight pristine PPO blending as a cost-effective, simple and scalable route to improve the mechanical and dimensional stability of hydrocarbon-based AEMs.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Membrane Design for Hydrogen Technologies)
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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
Effects of PVA/TiO2 Composite Hydrogel-Modified PES Ultrafiltration Membranes on Antibiotic Removal Performance and Membrane Fouling Behavior
by
Mingyang Li, Bingyang Wang, Jianqiang Zhao, Lianghao Lv, Zhizhang Xu, Zhaoqian Xie, Xiaobo Wu, He Zhang, Guoliang Bai and Dingkun Lu
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090293 - 31 Aug 2026
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To improve the hydrophilicity and antibiotic retention of conventional polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration membranes, a PVA/TiO2 composite hydrogel-modified PES membrane was prepared by hydrogel coating and in situ TiO2 embedding. Its removal of common antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), as well
[...] Read more.
To improve the hydrophilicity and antibiotic retention of conventional polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration membranes, a PVA/TiO2 composite hydrogel-modified PES membrane was prepared by hydrogel coating and in situ TiO2 embedding. Its removal of common antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), as well as fouling behavior, was evaluated under different environmental conditions. The modified membrane formed an approximately 5 μm gel layer, showed reduced surface roughness, and increased pure-water flux by about 5.0%. It removed four antibiotics more effectively than the pristine membrane, with the greatest improvement for ofloxacin. Environmental conditions strongly affected antibiotic removal but had limited effects on ARG reduction. Low pH favored sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and ofloxacin removal, while 5 μm particles increased sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline removal by 27.0% and 22.0%, respectively. Hermia model fitting suggested predominantly standard blocking-type hydraulic behavior under the tested pH conditions and complete blocking-type behavior in the presence of HA or particles. These results show that PVA/TiO2 modification improves PES membrane hydrophilicity and antibiotic removal, although fouling under complex conditions remains important.
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Open AccessArticle
Operational Stability and Treatment Efficiency of a Reverse Osmosis Plant Treating Highly Mineralized Water: Results of a Four-Year Follow-Up Study
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Smail Es Sellami, Taleb Abdeslam, Mohammed El Hachoumi and Badr El Fathi
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090292 - 31 Aug 2026
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This study evaluates the long-term operational performance of a full-scale reverse osmosis desalination plant treating highly mineralized water under real industrial operating conditions. Unlike conventional laboratory or pilot-scale investigations, the analysis is based on four years of operational data (2020–2024), providing a representative
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This study evaluates the long-term operational performance of a full-scale reverse osmosis desalination plant treating highly mineralized water under real industrial operating conditions. Unlike conventional laboratory or pilot-scale investigations, the analysis is based on four years of operational data (2020–2024), providing a representative assessment of membrane system behavior under variable environmental and hydraulic conditions. Statistical analyses including descriptive statistics, time-series analysis, Pearson correlation, and inter-annual comparisons were performed using Python-based data-processing tools. An Operational Stability Index was also introduced to quantify process consistency over time. The results demonstrate stable desalination performance, with salt rejection exceeding 90%. Operational monitoring indicated effective pretreatment conditions, low SDI values, and controlled membrane fouling under long-term operation. Differential pressure evolution and cleaning-in-place performance further confirmed the effectiveness of the implemented fouling mitigation strategy. Membrane autopsy investigations revealed the coexistence of biological fouling, silica scaling, and localized oxidative degradation, highlighting the importance of integrated pretreatment and operational control. The findings demonstrate the value of long-term industrial monitoring for understanding membrane performance, fouling behavior, and operational stability in full-scale RO systems. This approach supports data-driven operational optimization and may contribute to the future development of predictive monitoring and intelligent desalination-management frameworks as a Digital Twin.
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Open AccessArticle
Shifting the Redox-Flow Battery Trade-Off with Amine-Crosslinked PVBC Thin-Film Composite Membranes
by
Chiari Van Cauter, Maarten Cools, Yun Li and Ivo F. J. Vankelecom
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090291 - 31 Aug 2026
Abstract
Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are an interesting option for long-term energy storage. A well-performing membrane sits at the heart of the electrochemical battery cell and should effectively mitigate crossover of active species while minimizing resistance. However, current commercial membranes are rather expensive and
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Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are an interesting option for long-term energy storage. A well-performing membrane sits at the heart of the electrochemical battery cell and should effectively mitigate crossover of active species while minimizing resistance. However, current commercial membranes are rather expensive and demonstrate sub-optimal performance, leading to an extensive search for alternatives. Research on membranes for RFBs has long been dominated by dense ion-exchange membranes and porous membranes, both potentially with fillers. In recent years, increased interest in alternative morphologies such as thin-film composites (TFCs) has ignited new research directions. TFCs consist of a thin dense layer on top of a porous support, aiming to merge the advantages of both. Traditionally, TFCs are made using polyamide top layers. In this paper, a novel chemistry is developed with increased chemical stability for RFBs. Poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) is crosslinked interfacially with a diamine, demonstrating for the first time the potential of support-mediated interfacial crosslinking with two immiscible solvents. Optimization of the support, amine crosslinker, reaction time and synthesis procedure allowed a shift of the trade-off between vanadium crossover and proton transport, highlighting the opportunities for this promising TFC chemistry.
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(This article belongs to the Section Membrane Applications for Energy)
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Open AccessArticle
Second-Pass Vessel Arrangement and Separation-Limited Operation in Two-Pass Seawater Reverse Osmosis Under Progressive Fouling: Implications for Electrolytic Hydrogen Production
by
Tomas Rojas, Pablo Cassorla, Adrian Rojas and Gonzalo Aguila
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090290 - 28 Aug 2026
Abstract
Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) supplies the purification chain of electrolytic hydrogen plants, yet its long-term behaviour under fouling is rarely resolved at train level. This work presents a dynamic, quasi-steady-state model of a two-pass SWRO train and compares three second-pass architectures under progressive
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Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) supplies the purification chain of electrolytic hydrogen plants, yet its long-term behaviour under fouling is rarely resolved at train level. This work presents a dynamic, quasi-steady-state model of a two-pass SWRO train and compares three second-pass architectures under progressive first-pass fouling, represented by time-evolving water- and solute-permeability coefficients. At each of 51 instants over a 500-day horizon, the operating point is re-optimized to minimize specific energy consumption (SEC), subject to a product limit of 20 mg·L−1 set by the downstream polishing stage rather than the electrolyzer. Two share-membrane types, element count and installed area, differ only in vessel arrangement; the third is the industrial reference. Arrangement alone changes SEC by 36.9–41.6% across three fouling scenarios, 8.38 against 11.46 kWh·m−3 under severe fouling, widening to 71% at fixed production. Fouling constrains the system through separation, not hydraulics: the technically admissible operating window widens as membranes degrade, whereas the window satisfying the product specification closes. The energy penalty of compliance begins at days 310 and 170, respectively, accumulating about twice as fast thereafter in the former. Energy recovery reduces SEC by 63–64% without altering the ordering.
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(This article belongs to the Section Membrane Applications for Water Treatment)
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Improved Removal of Neonicotinoid Insecticides from Real Water Matrices by Modified UF and NF Membranes
by
Francisco J. Real, Juan L. Acero, Esther Matamoros and Carolina Godoy
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090289 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2026
Abstract
The removal of five neonicotinoid insecticides, acetamiprid, chlothianidin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam, was explored using various commercial ultrafiltration (MW, PT, and GK) and nanofiltration (HL) membranes provided by GE Osmonics Labstore. Several modification techniques have also been applied to one ultrafiltration membrane, including
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The removal of five neonicotinoid insecticides, acetamiprid, chlothianidin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam, was explored using various commercial ultrafiltration (MW, PT, and GK) and nanofiltration (HL) membranes provided by GE Osmonics Labstore. Several modification techniques have also been applied to one ultrafiltration membrane, including immersion in hot water, sodium hydroxide, and ethanol solutions, as well as interfacial polymerization with monomers such as polyethyleneimine and trimesoyl chloride, to improve micropollutant retention while maintaining adequate permeability. The results show that only immersion in ethanol (60% solution or absolute ethanol) improved membrane performance. Among the reagents and conditions tested for membrane surface modification via polymerization, the sequential application of polyethyleneimine, trimesoyl chloride, oven curing at 60 °C, followed by immersion in a glycerol solution was the most efficient. The optimal modified membrane was tested with real water matrices (two secondary effluents from wastewater treatment plants and a surface water sample) in which the neonicotinoids were dissolved. The modified ultrafiltration membrane showed higher retention (80–95%) than commercial ultrafiltration (15–60%) and levels similar to nanofiltration membranes (70–95%), demonstrating greater efficiency in retaining neonicotinoids under real water conditions, although the permeability was about half that of the commercial nanofiltration membrane. Therefore, this modification process is a promising alternative to commercial membranes for removing micropollutants from urban wastewater and should be considered.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Technologies for Water Purification (2nd Edition))
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Tailoring Polyetherimide Ultrafiltration Membranes via Non-Solvent- and Vapor-Induced Phase Separation: Effects of Fabrication Pathway and Membrane Formulation on Morphology and Bovine Serum Albumin Separation Performance
by
Mohammad Hosein Moghadasin, Masoud Salavati, Mohammed Majdoub, Ahmed Al-Ostaz, Alexander M. Lopez and Sasan Nouranian
Membranes 2026, 16(9), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16090288 - 28 Aug 2026
Abstract
Polyetherimide (PEI) ultrafiltration membranes were fabricated for bovine serum albumin (BSA) separation using nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) and vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS). In the NIPS approach, membranes containing varying amounts of Pluronic P-123, with or without graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), were prepared. Pluronic P-123
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Polyetherimide (PEI) ultrafiltration membranes were fabricated for bovine serum albumin (BSA) separation using nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) and vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS). In the NIPS approach, membranes containing varying amounts of Pluronic P-123, with or without graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), were prepared. Pluronic P-123 acted as a pore-forming agent, while GNPs enhanced permeability without compromising rejection. The membrane with 1 wt.% Pluronic P-123 achieved a pure water flux (PWF) of 355 LMH and 90% BSA rejection. Incorporating 1 wt.% GNPs further improved performance to 747 LMH and 98% rejection. VIPS membranes were fabricated using the same composition as N10, containing 17 wt.% PEI and 1 wt.% Pluronic P-123 without GNPs, to isolate the effect of the fabrication pathway. Increasing vapor exposure time reduced PWF but generally improved BSA rejection, whereas higher RH increased PWF while decreasing rejection. The composition-matched NIPS membrane, N10, exhibited a PWF of 355 LMH and approximately 91% BSA rejection. In comparison, the highest PWF and BSA rejection among the VIPS membranes were 91 LMH and 76.5%, respectively, and the selected balanced VIPS condition at 30 min and 65% RH yielded approximately 49 LMH and 55% rejection. The higher performance of N11, which achieved 747 LMH and 98% rejection, is attributed to GNP incorporation within the NIPS series and was not used to isolate the fabrication-pathway effect. Overall, the composition-matched comparison demonstrates that NIPS produced a more favorable morphology and BSA separation performance than VIPS under the investigated conditions.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Membranes Engineered for Different Separation Processes)
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