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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2022) | Viewed by 32180

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Dr. Liang Ge

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CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, School of Chemistry and Material Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Interests: ion-selective separation membrane; ion exchange membrane; MOF membrane; COF membrane; electrodialysis; selective electrodialysis; bipolar membrane electrodialysis; diffusion dialysis; electro-nanofilitration

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Separations based on ion-selective separation membranes are vital to recovering valuable resources, wastewater treatment, water desalination, lithium selective recovery, energy harvesting, and storage. Ion-selective separation membranes play a crucial role in separation industries because they are more reliable and cost-effective and produce less waste. In addition, regulating selective ion transport is key to promoting novel membrane technologies for high‐efficiency ion separation and energy conversion. Recent advancements in analytical techniques and the arrival of state-of-the-art nanofabrication technologies have afforded us with an excellent opportunity to engineer materials with high selectivity and permeability. The preface of innovative approaches is impressive in designing ion-selective membranes that expedite selective ion transport to achieve high productivity.

This Special Issue titled “Ion-Selective Separation Membranes” aims to cover recent advances in ion-selective separation membranes and their sibling processes, which have excellent potency and persistence for separation applications. The Special Issue will accept original research articles and reviews in subject areas, including the fabrication of ion-selective membranes, advanced membrane materials, membrane modification processes, mathematical modeling and simulation, and other schemes to improve the efficiency of membrane-based selective separation processes.

Dr. Liang Ge
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Ion-selective separation membrane
Ion exchange membrane
Electrodialysis
Selective electrodialysis
Diffusion dialysis

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 5766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Commercial Polymer–Carbon Composite Bipolar Plates Used in PEM Fuel Cells

by Miroslav Hala, Jakub Mališ, Martin Paidar and Karel Bouzek

Membranes 2022, 12(11), 1050; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12111050 - 27 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4457

Abstract

Bipolar plates represent a crucial component of the PEM fuel cell stack. Polymer–carbon composites are recognized as state-of-the-art materials for bipolar plate manufacturing, but their use involves a compromise between electrical and heat conductivity, mechanical strength and costs. Thus, all key parameters must be considered when selecting a suitable plate satisfying the demands of the desired application. However, data relevant to commercial materials for such selection are scarce in the open literature. To address this issue, 13 commercially available polymer–carbon composites are characterised in terms of the following parameters: through-plane conductivity, hydrogen permeability, mechanical strength, water uptake, density, water contact angle and chemical stability. None of the materials tested reached the DOE target for electrical conductivity, while five of the materials met the target for flexural strength. The overall best-performing material showed a conductivity value of 50.4 S·cm⁻¹ and flexural strength of 40.1 MPa. The data collected provide important supporting information in selecting the materials most suitable for the desired application. In addition, the key parameters determined for each bipolar plate supply important input parameters for the mathematical modelling of fuel cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Selective Separation Membrane)

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13 pages, 2917 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Spacing Regulation and Separation Performance of Nanofiltration Membranes of GO

by Na Meng, Pinping Zhao, Wei Zhou, Jie Yan, Die Hu, Yanqing Fang, Jun Lu and Qiang Liu

Membranes 2022, 12(8), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12080803 - 19 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1788

Abstract

Graphene oxide (GO) membranes have attracted significant attention in the field of water processing in recent years due to their unique characteristics. However, few reports focus on both membrane stability and the “trade-off” effect. In this study, a series of aliphatic diamines (1, 2-ethylenediamine, 1, 4-butanediamine, and 1, 6-hexamethylenediamine) of covalent crosslinked GO were used to prepare diamine-modified nanofiltration membranes, BPPO/AX-GO, with adjustable layer spacing using the vacuum extraction–filtration method. Moreover, Ax-GO-modified nanofiltration membranes modified with adipose diamine had higher layer spacing, lower mass-transfer resistance, and better stability. When the number of carbon atoms was 5, the best layer spacing was reached, and when the number of carbon atoms was greater than 4, the modified membrane nanosheets more easily accumulated. With the increase in layer spacing, the water flux of the composite film increased to 26.27 L/m²·h·bar. Meanwhile, adipose diamine crosslinking significantly improved the stability of GO films. The interception sequence of different valence salts in the composite membrane was NaCl > Na₂SO₄ > MgSO₄, and the rejection rate of bivalent salts was higher than that of monovalent salts. The results can provide some experimental basis and research ideas for overcoming the “trade-off” effect of a lamellar GO membrane. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Selective Separation Membrane)

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12 pages, 2266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Negatively Charged MOF-Based Composite Anion Exchange Membrane with High Cation Selectivity and Permeability

by Xiaohuan Li, Noor Ul Afsar, Xiaopeng Chen, Yifeng Wu, Yu Chen, Feng Shao, Jiaxian Song, Shuai Yao, Ru Xia, Jiasheng Qian, Bin Wu and Jibin Miao

Membranes 2022, 12(6), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12060601 - 10 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2444

Abstract

Every metal and metallurgical industry is associated with the generation of wastewater, influencing the living and non-living environment, which is alarming to environmentalists. The strict regulations about the dismissal of acid and metal into the environment and the increasing emphasis on the recycling/reuse of these effluents after proper remedy have focused the research community’s curiosity in developing distinctive approaches for the recovery of acid and metals from industrial wastewaters. This study reports the synthesis of UiO-66-(COOH)₂ using dual ligand in water as a green solvent. Then, the prepared MOF nanoparticles were introduced into the DMAM quaternized QPPO matrix through a straightforward blending approach. Four defect-free UiO-66-(COOH)₂/QPPO MMMs were prepared with four different MOF structures. The BET characterization of UiO-66-(COOH)₂ nanoparticles with a highly crystalline structure and sub-nanometer pore size (~7 Å) was confirmed by XRD. Because of the introduction of MOF nanoparticles with an electrostatic interaction and pore size screening effect, a separation coefficient (S_HCl/FeCl2) of 565 and U_HCl of 0.0089 m·h⁻¹ for U-C(60)/QPPO were perceived when the loading dosage of the MOF content was 10 wt%. The obtained results showed that the prepared defect-free MOF membrane has broad prospects in acid recovery applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Selective Separation Membrane)

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11 pages, 3954 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comprehensive Analysis of Inorganic Ions and Their Selective Removal from the Reconstituted Tobacco Extract Using Electrodialysis

by Shaolin Ge, Qian Chen, Zhao Zhang, Shike She, Bingxia Xu, Fei Liu and Noor Ul Afsar

Membranes 2022, 12(6), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12060597 - 7 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1899

Abstract

Many tobacco stalks, dust, and fines are discharged in the tobacco industry, rich in inorganic minerals ions and nicotine salts. The high salinity and nicotine salts are challenging to be addressed by traditional treatment and are a severe threat that ought to be overcome. Thus, proper techniques can regenerate the tobacco stalks into reconstituted tobacco flakes used as cigarette filler. The electrodialysis process has been a viable approach to removing the inorganic ingredients in wastewater. We studied concentration, pH, and co-related influences with the nicotine and sugar/nicotine contents on the desalination performance. The results show that the inorganic ions such as Cl⁻, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ ions were successfully removed. When the feed concentration ranges from 3 to 15%, the removal ratio of the K⁺ ions is higher than Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions. As we reported previously, the K⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions are unfavorable for the total particulate matter emission but beneficial to decreasing the HCN delivery in mainstream cigarette smoke. Selective ED is a robust technology to reduce the harmful component delivery in cigarette smoke. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Selective Separation Membrane)

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18 pages, 3293 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Treatment and Resource Recovery of Anion Exchange Spent Brine by Pilot-Scale Electrodialysis and Ultrafiltration

by Hongfang Sun, Daoxu Zhu, Peng Shi, Wenxiang Ji, Xun Cao, Shi Cheng, Yufeng Lou and Aimin Li

Membranes 2022, 12(3), 273; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12030273 - 27 Feb 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2631

Abstract

The anion exchange (AIX) spent brine, generated during the NDMP-3 resin regeneration process, highly loaded with organic substances mainly humic substances (HSs) and salts (mainly NaCl) remains an environmental concern. In this study, pilot-scale electro dialysis (ED) and ultrafiltration (UF) hybrid technologies were first used to recover NaCl solution as a resin regeneration agent and HSs, which could be utilized as a vital ingredient of organic fertilizer, from the AIX spent brine. Recovered ≈ 15% w/w NaCl solution obtained by two-stage pilot-scale ED can be used to regenerate saturated NDMP-3 anion exchange resins; the regeneration–readsorption performance of NDMP-3 resins was equivalent to that of fresh ≈ 15% w/w NaCl solution. The two-stage dilute solution with low-salt content (0.49% w/w) was further concentrated by pilot-scale UF, so that the HS content in the retentate solution was >30 g/L, which meets the HS content required for water-soluble organic fertilizers. The HS liquid fertilizer could significantly stimulate the growth of green vegetables with no phytotoxicity, mainly due to special properties of HSs. These results demonstrate that ED + UF hybrid technologies can be a promising approach for the sustainable treatment and resource recovery of AIX spent brine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Selective Separation Membrane)

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18 pages, 5810 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thin-Reinforced Anion-Exchange Membranes with High Ionic Contents for Electrochemical Energy Conversion Processes

by Hyeon-Bee Song, Do-Hyeong Kim and Moon-Sung Kang

Membranes 2022, 12(2), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12020196 - 8 Feb 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2396

Abstract

Ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) are a core component that greatly affects the performance of electrochemical energy conversion processes such as reverse electrodialysis (RED) and all-vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). The IEMs used in electrochemical energy conversion processes require low mass transfer resistance, high permselectivity, excellent durability, and also need to be inexpensive to manufacture. Therefore, in this study, thin-reinforced anion-exchange membranes with excellent physical and chemical stabilities were developed by filling a polyethylene porous substrate with functional monomers, and through in situ polymerization and post-treatments. In particular, the thin-reinforced membranes were made to have a high ion-exchange capacity and a limited degree of swelling at the same time through a double cross-linking reaction. The prepared membranes were shown to possess both strong tensile strength (>120 MPa) and low electrical resistance (<1 Ohm cm²). As a result of applying them to RED and VRFB, the performances were shown to be superior to those of the commercial membrane (AMX, Astom Corp., Japan) in the optimal composition. In addition, the prepared membranes were found to have high oxidation stability, enough for practical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Selective Separation Membrane)

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11 pages, 2822 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-Efficiency Separation of Mg²⁺/Sr²⁺ through a NF Membrane under Electric Field

by Huan Liu, Quan Li, Benqiao He, Zhengguang Sun, Feng Yan, Zhenyu Cui and Jianxin Li

Membranes 2022, 12(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12010057 - 31 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1988

Abstract

The efficient separation of Sr²⁺/Mg²⁺ through nanofiltration (NF) technology is a great challenge because Sr²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions are congeners with the same valence and chemical properties. In this work, an NF membrane under an electric field (EF) was successfully employed to separate Mg²⁺ and Sr²⁺ ions for the first time. The effects of current densities, Mg²⁺/Sr²⁺ mass ratios, pH of the feed, and coexisting cations on separation performance were investigated. Dehydration of Sr²⁺ or Mg²⁺ ions under EF was proved by molecular dynamics simulation. The results showed that a high-efficient separation of Mg²⁺/Sr²⁺ was achieved: Mg²⁺ removal of above 99% and increase in Sr²⁺ permeation with increasing EF. A separation factor reached 928 under optimal conditions, far higher than that without EF. The efficient separation of Mg²⁺/Sr²⁺ ions was mainly due to rejection of most Mg²⁺ ions by NF membrane and in situ precipitation of partly permeated Mg²⁺ ions by OH⁻ generated on the cathode under EF. Meanwhile, preferential dehydration of Sr²⁺ ions under EF due to lower hydration energy of Sr²⁺ compared with Mg²⁺ resulted in an increase of permeation of Sr²⁺ ions. This work provided a new idea for separation of congener ions with similar valence and chemical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Selective Separation Membrane)

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16 pages, 3564 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Sulfonated Polyimide/Nafion Blend Membrane with High Proton Selectivity and Remarkable Stability for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery

by Jinchao Li, Jun Liu, Wenjie Xu, Jun Long, Wenheng Huang, Zhen He, Suqin Liu and Yaping Zhang

Membranes 2021, 11(12), 946; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11120946 - 29 Nov 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3194

Abstract

A sulfonated polyimide (SPI)/Nafion blend membrane composed of a designed and synthesized SPI polymer and the commercial Nafion polymer is prepared by a facile solution casting method for vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). Similar molecular structures of both SPI and Nafion provide good compatibility and complementarity of the blend membrane. ATR-FTIR, ¹H-NMR, AFM, and SEM are used to gain insights on the chemical structure and morphology of the blend membrane. Fortunately, the chemical stability of the SPI/Nafion blend membrane is effectively improved compared with reported SPI-based membranes for VRFB applications. In cycling charge-discharge tests, the VRFB with the as-prepared SPI/Nafion blend membrane shows excellent battery efficiencies and operational stability. Above results indicate that the SPI/Nafion blend membrane is a promising candidate for VRFB application. This work opens up a new possibility for fabricating high-performance SPI-based blend membrane by introduction of a polymer with a similar molecular structure and special functional groups into the SPI polymer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Selective Separation Membrane)

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16 pages, 2103 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Highly Stable Potentiometric (Bio)Sensor for Urea and Urease Activity Determination

by Marcin Urbanowicz, Kamila Sadowska, Agnieszka Paziewska-Nowak, Anna Sołdatowska and Dorota G. Pijanowska

Membranes 2021, 11(11), 898; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11110898 - 20 Nov 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3693

Abstract

There is growing interest for bioanalytical tools that might be designed for a specific user, primarily for research purposes. In this perspective, a new, highly stable potentiometric sensor based on glassy carbon/polyazulene/NH₄⁺-selective membrane was developed and utilized for urease activity determination. Urease–urea interaction studies were carried out and the Michaelis–Menten constant was established for this enzymatic reaction. Biofunctionalization of the ammonium ion-selective sensor with urease lead to urea biosensor with remarkably good potential stability (drift coefficient ~0.9 mV/h) and short response time (t_95% = 36 s). The prepared biosensor showed the Nernstian response (S = 52.4 ± 0.7 mV/dec) in the urea concentration range from 0.01 to 20 mM, stable for the experimental time of 60 days. In addition, some insights into electrical properties of the ion-to-electron transducing layer resulting from impedance spectroscopy measurements are presented. Based on the RCQ equivalent circuits comparison, it can be drawn that the polyazulene (PAz) layer shows the least capacitive behavior, which might result in good time stability of the sensor in respect to response as well as potential E⁰. Both the polyazulene-based solid-contact ion selective electrodes and urea biosensors were successfully used in trial studies for determination of ammonium ion and urea in human saliva samples. The accuracy of ammonium ion and urea levels determination by potentiometric method was confirmed by two reference spectrophotometric methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Selective Separation Membrane)

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18 pages, 4745 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thin Reinforced Ion-Exchange Membranes Containing Fluorine Moiety for All-Vanadium Redox Flow Battery

by Ha-Neul Moon, Hyeon-Bee Song and Moon-Sung Kang

Membranes 2021, 11(11), 867; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11110867 - 11 Nov 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2831

Abstract

In this work, we developed pore-filled ion-exchange membranes (PFIEMs) fabricated for the application to an all-vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) by filling a hydrocarbon-based ionomer containing a fluorine moiety into the pores of a porous polyethylene (PE) substrate having excellent physical and chemical stabilities. The prepared PFIEMs were shown to possess superior tensile strength (i.e., 136.6 MPa for anion-exchange membrane; 129.9 MPa for cation-exchange membrane) and lower electrical resistance compared with commercial membranes by employing a thin porous PE substrate as a reinforcing material. In addition, by introducing a fluorine moiety into the filling ionomer along with the use of the porous PE substrate, the oxidation stability of the PFIEMs could be greatly improved, and the permeability of vanadium ions could also be significantly reduced. As a result of the evaluation of the charge–discharge performance in the VRFB, it was revealed that the higher the fluorine content in the PFIEMs was, the higher the current efficiency was. Moreover, the voltage efficiency of the PFIEMs was shown to be higher than those of the commercial membranes due to the lower electrical resistance. Consequently, both of the pore-filled anion- and cation-exchange membranes showed superior charge–discharge performances in the VRFB compared with those of hydrocarbon-based commercial membranes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Selective Separation Membrane)

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Review

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18 pages, 4522 KiB

Open AccessReview

Stability of Ion Exchange Membranes in Electrodialysis

by Ksenia Solonchenko, Anna Kirichenko and Ksenia Kirichenko

Membranes 2023, 13(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13010052 - 31 Dec 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3346

Abstract

During electrodialysis the ion exchange membranes are affected by such factors as passage of electric current, heating, tangential flow of solution and exposure to chemical agents. It can potentially cause the degradation of ion exchange groups and of polymeric backbone, worsening the performance of the process and necessitating the replacement of the membranes. This article aims to review how the composition and the structure of ion exchange membranes change during the electrodialysis or the studies imitating it. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion-Selective Separation Membrane)

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