Organic fouling inhibition on electrically conducting carbon nanotube–polyvinyl alcohol composite ultrafiltration membranes

Enhanced Flux and Electrochemical Cleaning of Silicate Scaling on Carbon Nanotube-Coated Membrane Distillation Membranes Treating Geothermal Brines

The desalination of inland brackish groundwater offers the opportunity to provide potable drinking water to residents and industrial cooling water to industries located in arid regions. Geothermal brines are used to generate electricity, but often contain high concentrations of dissolved salt. Here, we demonstrate how the residual heat left in spent geothermal brines can be used to drive a membrane distillation (MD) process and recover desalinated water. Porous polypropylene membranes were coated with a carbon nanotube (CNT)/poly(vinyl alcohol) layer, resulting in composite membranes having a binary structure that combines the hydrophobic properties critical for MD with the hydrophilic and conductive properties of the CNTs. We demonstrate that the addition of the CNT layer increases membrane flux due to enhanced heat transport from the bulk feed to the membrane surface, a result of CNT's high thermal transport properties. Furthermore, we show how hydroxide ion generation, driven by water electrolysis on the electrically conducting membrane surface, can be used to efficiently dissolve silicate scaling that developed during the process of desalinating the geothermal brine, negating the need for chemical cleaning.

Interlaced CNT Electrodes for Bacterial Fouling Reduction of Microfiltration Membranes

Interlaced carbon nanotube electrodes (ICE) were prepared by vacuum filtering a well-dispersed carbon nanotube-Nafion solution through a laser-cut acrylic stencil onto a commercial polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microfiltration (MF) membrane. Dead-end filtration was carried out using 10⁷ and 10⁸ CFU mL^-1 Pseudomonas fluorescens to study the effects of the electrochemically active ICE on bacterial density and morphology, as well as to evaluate the bacterial fouling trend and backwash (BW) efficacy, respectively. Finally, a simplified COMSOL model of the ICE electric field was used to help elucidate the antifouling mechanism in solution. At 2 V DC and AC (total cell potential), the average bacterial log removal of the ICE-PVDF increased by ∼1 log compared to the control PVDF (3.5-4 log). Bacterial surface density was affected by the presence and polarity of DC electric potential, being 87-90% lower on the ICE cathode and 59-93% lower on the ICE anode than that on the PVDF after filtration, and BW further reduced the density on the cathode significantly. The optimal operating conditions (2 V AC) reduced the fouling rate by 75% versus the control and achieved up to 96% fouling resistance recovery (FRR) during BW at 8 V AC using 155 mM NaCl. The antifouling performance should mainly be due to electrokinetic effects, and the electric field simulation by COMSOL model suggested electrophoresis and dielectrophoresis as likely mechanisms.

Electro-Conductive Membranes for Permeation Enhancement and Fouling Mitigation: A Short Review

The research on electro-conductive membranes has expanded in recent years. These membranes have strong prospective as key components in next generation water treatment plants because they are engineered in order to enhance their performance in terms of separation, flux, fouling potential, and permselectivity. The present review summarizes recent developments in the preparation of electro-conductive membranes and the mechanisms of their response to external electric voltages in order to obtain an improvement in permeation and mitigation in the fouling growth. In particular, this paper deals with the properties of electro-conductive polymers and the preparation of electro-conductive polymer membranes with a focus on responsive membranes based on polyaniline, polypyrrole and carbon nanotubes. Then, some examples of electro-conductive membranes for permeation enhancement and fouling mitigation by electrostatic repulsion, hydrogen peroxide generation and electrochemical oxidation will be presented.

Frequency-dependent stability of CNT Joule heaters in ionizable media and desalination processes

Water shortages and brine waste management are increasing challenges for coastal and inland regions, with high-salinity brines presenting a particularly challenging problem. These high-salinity waters require the use of thermally driven treatment processes, such as membrane distillation, which suffer from high complexity and cost. Here, we demonstrate how controlling the frequency of an applied alternating current at high potentials (20 V_pp) to a porous thin-film carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composite Joule heating element can prevent CNT degradation in ionizable environments such as high-salinity brines. By operating at sufficiently high frequencies, these porous thin-films can be directly immersed in highly ionizable environments and used as flow-through heating elements. We demonstrate that porous CNT/polymer composites can be used as self-heating membranes to directly heat high-salinity brines at the water/vapour interface of the membrane distillation element, achieving high single-pass recoveries that approach 100%, far exceeding standard membrane distillation recovery limits.

Carbon Nanotube Membranes: Synthesis, Properties, and Future Filtration Applications

Over the course of the past decade, there has been growing interest in the development of different types of membranes composed of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), including buckypapers and composite materials, for an ever-widening range of filtration applications. This article provides an overview of how different types of CNT membranes are prepared and the results obtained from investigations into their suitability for different applications. The latter involve the removal of small particles from air samples, the filtration of aqueous solutions containing organic compounds and/or bacteria, and the separation of individual liquids present in mixtures. A growing number of reports have demonstrated that the incorporation of CNTs into composite membranes confers an improved resistance to fouling caused by biomacromolecules and bacteria. These results are discussed, along with evidence that demonstrates it is possible to further reduce fouling by taking advantage of the inherent conductivity of composite membranes containing CNTs, as well as by using different types of electrochemical stimuli.

Fabrication and Water Treatment Application of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)-Based Composite Membranes: A Review

Membrane separation technology is widely explored for various applications, such as water desalination and wastewater treatment, which can alleviate the global issue of fresh water scarcity. Specifically, carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based composite membranes are increasingly of interest due to the combined merits of CNTs and membrane separation, offering enhanced membrane properties. This article first briefly discusses fabrication and growth mechanisms, characterization and functionalization techniques of CNTs, and then reviews the fabrication methods for CNTs-based composite membranes in detail. The applications of CNTs-based composite membranes in water treatment are comprehensively reviewed, including seawater or brine desalination, oil-water separation, removal of heavy metal ions and emerging pollutants as well as membrane separation coupled with assistant techniques. Furthermore, the future direction and perspective for CNTs-based composite membranes are also briefly outlined.

Bacteria inactivation at a sub-stoichiometric titanium dioxide reactive electrochemical membrane

This study investigated the use of a sub-stoichiometric TiO2 reactive electrochemical membrane (REM) for the inactivation of a model Escherichia coli (E. coli) pathogen in chloride-free solutions. The filtration system was operated in dead-end, outside-in filtration model, using the REM as anode and a stainless steel mesh as cathode. A 1-log removal of E. coli was achieved when the electrochemical cell was operated at the open circuit potential, due to a simple bacteria-sieving mechanism. At applied cell potentials of 1.3 and 3.5V neither live nor dead E. coli cells were detected in the permeate stream (detection limit of 1.0 cell mL(-1)), which was attributed to enhanced electrostatic bacteria adsorption at the REM anode. Bacteria inactivation in the retentate solution increased as a function of the applied cell potential, which was attributed to transport of E. coli to the REM and stainless steel cathode surfaces, and direct contact with the local acidic and alkaline environment produced by water oxidation at the anode and cathode, respectively. Clear evidence for an E. coli inactivation mechanism mediated by either direct or indirect oxidation was not found. The low energy requirement of the process (2.0-88Whm(-3)) makes the REM an attractive method for potable water disinfection.

An Effective Design of Electrically Conducting Thin-Film Composite (TFC) Membranes for Bio and Organic Fouling Control in Forward Osmosis (FO)

The organic foulants and bacteria in secondary wastewater treatment can seriously impair the membrane performance in a water treatment plant. The embedded electrode approach using an externally applied potential to repel organic foulants and inhibit bacterial adhesion can effectively reduce the frequency of membrane replacement. Electrode embedment in membranes is often carried out by dispensing a conductor (e.g., carbon nanotubes, or CNTs) in the membrane substrate, which gives rise to two problems: the leaching-out of the conductor and a percolation-limited membrane conductivity that results in an added energy cost. This study presents a facile method for the embedment of a continuous electrode in thin-film composite (TFC) forward osmosis (FO) membranes. Specifically, a conducting porous carbon paper is used as the understructure for the formation of a membrane substrate by the classical phase inversion process. The carbon paper and the membrane substrate polymer form an interpenetrating structure with good stability and low electrical resistance (only about 1Ω/□). The membrane-electrode assembly was deployed as the cathode of an electrochemical cell, and showed good resistance to organic and microbial fouling with the imposition of a 2.0 V DC voltage. The carbon paper-based FO TFC membranes also possess good mechanical stability for practical use.

Polyaniline-Coated Carbon Nanotube Ultrafiltration Membranes: Enhanced Anodic Stability for In Situ Cleaning and Electro-Oxidation Processes

Electrically conducting membranes (ECMs) have been reported to be efficient in fouling prevention and destruction of aqueous chemical compounds. In the current study, highly conductive and anodically stable composite polyaniline-carbon nanotube (PANI-CNT) ultrafiltration (UF) ECMs were fabricated through a process of electropolymerization of aniline on a CNT substrate under acidic conditions. The resulting PANI-CNT UF ECMs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, a four-point conductivity probe, cyclic voltammetry, and contact angle goniometry. The utilization of the PANI-CNT material led to significant advantages, including: (1) increased electrical conductivity by nearly an order of magnitude; (2) increased surface hydrophilicity while not impacting membrane selectivity or permeability; and (3) greatly improved stability under anodic conditions. The membrane's anodic stability was evaluated in a pH-controlled aqueous environment under a wide range of anodic potentials using a three-electrode cell. Results indicate a significantly reduced degradation rate in comparison to a CNT-poly(vinyl alcohol) ECM under high anodic potentials. Fouling experiments conducted with bovine serum albumin demonstrated the capacity of the PANI-CNT ECMs for in situ oxidative cleaning, with membrane flux restored to its initial value under an applied potential of 3 V. Additionally, a model organic compound (methylene blue) was electrochemically transformed at high efficiency (90%) in a single pass through the anodically charged ECM.

Development and Characterization of Ultrafiltration TiO2 Magnéli Phase Reactive Electrochemical Membranes

This research focused on the synthesis, characterization, and performance testing of a novel Magnéli phase (TinO2n-1), n = 4 to 6, reactive electrochemical membrane (REM) for water treatment. The REMs were synthesized from tubular asymmetric TiO2 ultrafiltration membranes, and optimal reactivity was achieved for REMs composed of high purity Ti4O7. Probe molecules were used to assess outer-sphere charge transfer (Fe(CN)6(4-)) and organic compound oxidation through both direct oxidation (oxalic acid) and formation of OH(•) (coumarin, terephthalic acid). High membrane fluxes (3208 L m(-2) h(-1) bar(-1) (LMH bar(-1))) were achieved and resulted in a convection-enhanced rate constant for Fe(CN)6(4-) oxidation of 1.4 × 10(-4) m s(-1), which is the highest reported in an electrochemical flow-through reactor and approached the kinetic limit. The optimal removal rate for oxalic acid was 401.5 ± 18.1 mmol h(-1) m(-2) at 793 LMH, with approximately 84% current efficiency. Experiments indicate OH(•) were produced only on the Ti4O7 REM and not on less reduced phases (e.g., Ti6O11). REMs were also tested for oxyanion separation. Approximately 67% removal of a 1 mM NO3(-) solution was achieved at 58 LMH, with energy consumption of 0.22 kWh m(-3). These results demonstrate the extreme promise of REMs for water treatment applications.

The critical zeta potential of polymer membranes: how electrolytes impact membrane fouling

The zeta potential of membrane surfaces and the resulting electrostatic interactions are determining factors of membrane fouling. This publication presents the impact of salt concentration and pH value on these interactions.

Influences of electroosmosis and electrophoresis on permeate flux and membrane fouling in submerged membrane bioreactors (SMBRs)

The objective of this study was to investigate the influences of electroosmosis (EO) and electrophoresis (EP) on the permeate flux in submerged membrane bioreactors. When a polymeric membrane is placed in between an anode and a cathode, both EO and EP occur simultaneously, causing enhancement in flux. Results showed that after 150 min of filtration, the permeate fluxes were 60, 115, 175 and 260 L/m(2)/h at 0, 30, 40 and 50 V, respectively. It was shown that the EO was linearly changing with increasing voltage, reaching up to 54 L/m(2)/h at 50 V. EP was found to be a significant process in removing soluble microbial products from the membrane surface, resulting in an increase in permeate flux as the filtration progressed. About 20-fold of smaller protein and carbohydrate concentrations were found in the cake layer when the electrical field (EF) was applied. However, the EF application promoted pore fouling, because of the calcium and magnesium scaling.

Particle adsorption on a polyether sulfone membrane: how electrostatic interactions dominate membrane fouling

This study presents a new method focussing on electrostatic interactions during fouling of microfiltration membranes.

Electroconductive and electroresponsive membranes for water treatment

In populated, water-scarce regions, seawater and wastewater are considered as potable water resources that require extensive treatment before being suitable for consumption. The separation of water from salt, organic, and inorganic matter is most commonly done through membrane separation processes. Because of permeate flux and concentration polarization, membranes are prone to fouling, resulting in a decline in membrane performance and increased energy demands. As the physical and chemical properties of commercially available membranes (polymeric and ceramic) are relatively static and insensitive to changes in the environment, there is a need for stimuli-reactive membranes with controlled, tunable surface and transport properties to decrease fouling and control membrane properties such as hydrophilicity and permselectivity. In this review, we first describe the application of electricity-conducting and electricity-responsive membranes (ERMs) for fouling mitigation. We discuss their ability to reduce organic, inorganic, and biological fouling by several mechanisms, including control over the membrane’s surface morphology, electrostatic rejection, piezoelectric vibrations, electrochemical reactions, and local pH changes. Next, we examine the use of ERMs for permselectivity modification, which allows for the optimization of rejection and control over ion transport through the application of electrical potentials and the use of electrostatically charged membrane surfaces. In addition, electrochemical reactions coupled with membrane filtration are examined, including electro-oxidation and electro-Fenton reactions, demonstrating the capability of ERMs to electro-oxidize organic contaminates with high efficiency due to high surface area and reduced mass diffusion limitations. When applicable, ERM applications are compared with commercial membranes in terms of energy consumptions. We conclude with a brief discussion regarding the future directions of ERMs and provide examples of several applications such as pore size and selectivity control, electrowettability, and capacitive deionization. To provide the reader with the current state of knowledge, the review focuses on research published in the last 5 years.

Rational design of nanomaterials for water treatment

The ever-increasing human demand for safe and clean water is gradually pushing conventional water treatment technologies to their limits. It is now a popular perception that the solutions to the existing and future water challenges will hinge upon further developments in nanomaterial sciences. The concept of rational design emphasizes on 'design-for-purpose' and it necessitates a scientifically clear problem definition to initiate the nanomaterial design. The field of rational design of nanomaterials for water treatment has experienced a significant growth in the past decade and is poised to make its contribution in creating advanced next-generation water treatment technologies in the years to come. Within the water treatment context, this review offers a comprehensive and in-depth overview of the latest progress in rational design, synthesis and applications of nanomaterials in adsorption, chemical oxidation and reduction reactions, membrane-based separation, oil-water separation, and synergistic multifunctional all-in-one nanomaterials/nanodevices. Special attention is paid to the chemical concepts related to nanomaterial design throughout the review.

Microbial Attachment Inhibition through Low-Voltage Electrochemical Reactions on Electrically Conducting Membranes

Bacterial biofilm formation on membrane surfaces remains a serious challenge in water treatment systems. The impact of low voltages on microbial attachment to electrically conducting ultrafiltration membranes was investigated using a direct observation cross-flow membrane system mounted on a fluorescence microscope. Escherichia coli and microparticle deposition and detachment rates were measured as a function of the applied electrical potential to the membrane surface. Selecting bacteria and particles with low surface charge minimized electrostatic interactions between the bacteria and charged membrane surface. Application of an electrical potential had a significant impact on the detachment of live bacteria in comparison to dead bacteria and particles. Image analysis indicated that when a potential of 1.5 V was applied to the membrane/counter electrode pair, the percent of dead bacteria was 32±2.1 and 67±3.6% when the membrane was used as a cathode or anode, respectively, while at a potential of 1 V, 92±2.4% were alive. The application of low electrical potentials resulted in the production of low (μM) concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (HP) through the electroreduction of oxygen. The electrochemically produced HP reduced microbial cell viability and increased cellular permeability. Exposure to low concentrations of electrochemically produced HP on the membrane surface prevents bacterial attachment, thus ensuring biofilm-free conditions during membrane filtration operations.

Coupling Underwater Superoleophobic Membranes with Magnetic Pickering Emulsions for Fouling-Free Separation of Crude Oil/Water Mixtures: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

Oil/water separations have become an area of great interest, as growing oil extraction activities are increasing the generation of oily wastewaters as well as increasing the risk of oil spills. Here, we demonstrate a membrane-based and fouling-free oil/water separation method that couples carbon nanotube-poly(vinyl alcohol) underwater superoleophobic ultrafiltration membranes with magnetic Pickering emulsions. We demonstrate that this process is insensitive to low water temperatures, high ionic strength, or crude oil loading, while allowing operation at high permeate fluxes and producing high quality permeate. Furthermore, we develop a theoretical framework that analyzes the stability of Pickering emulsions under filtration mechanics, relating membrane surface properties and hydrodynamic conditions in the Pickering emulsion cake layer to membrane performance. Finally, we demonstrate the recovery and recyclability of the nanomagnetite used to form the Pickering emulsions through a magnetic separation step, resulting in an environmentally friendly, continuous process for oil/water separation.

A novel composite conductive microfiltration membrane and its anti-fouling performance with an external electric field in membrane bioreactors

Membrane fouling remains an obstacle to wide-spread applications of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) for wastewater treatment and reclamation. Herein, we report a simple method to prepare a composite conductive microfiltration (MF) membrane by introducing a stainless steel mesh into a polymeric MF membrane and to effectively control its fouling by applying an external electric field. Linear sweep voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses showed that this conductive membrane had very good electrochemical properties. Batch tests demonstrated its anti-fouling ability in filtration of bovine serum albumin, sodium alginate, humic acid and silicon dioxide particles as model foulants. The fouling rate in continuous-flow MBRs treating wastewater was also decreased by about 50% for this conductive membrane with 2 V/cm electric field compared to the control test during long-term operation. The enhanced electrostatic repulsive force between foulants and membrane, in-situ cleaning by H₂O₂ generated from oxygen reduction, and decreased production of soluble microbial products and extracellular polymeric substances contributed to fouling mitigation in this MBR. The results of this study shed light on the control strategy of membrane fouling for achieving a sustainable operation of MBRs.