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Wei M, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Liu X, Li X, Zheng X. Employing Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for Microscale Investigation of Interfaces and Interactions in Membrane Fouling Processes: New Perspectives and Prospects. MEMBRANES 2024; 14:35. [PMID: 38392662 PMCID: PMC10890076 DOI: 10.3390/membranes14020035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Membrane fouling presents a significant challenge in the treatment of wastewater. Several detection methods have been used to interpret membrane fouling processes. Compared with other analysis and detection methods, atomic force microscopy (AFM) is widely used because of its advantages in liquid-phase in situ 3D imaging, ability to measure interactive forces, and mild testing conditions. Although AFM has been widely used in the study of membrane fouling, the current literature has not fully explored its potential. This review aims to uncover and provide a new perspective on the application of AFM technology in future studies on membrane fouling. Initially, a rigorous review was conducted on the morphology, roughness, and interaction forces of AFM in situ characterization of membranes and foulants. Then, the application of AFM in the process of changing membrane fouling factors was reviewed based on its in situ measurement capability, and it was found that changes in ionic conditions, pH, voltage, and even time can cause changes in membrane fouling morphology and forces. Existing membrane fouling models are then discussed, and the role of AFM in predicting and testing these models is presented. Finally, the potential of the improved AFM techniques to be applied in the field of membrane fouling has been underestimated. In this paper, we have fully elucidated the potentials of the improved AFM techniques to be applied in the process of membrane fouling, and we have presented the current challenges and the directions for the future development in an attempt to provide new insights into this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in North West Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Yaozhong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in North West Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in North West Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Xiaoping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in North West Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
- Yulin Coal Chemical Waste Resource Utilization and Low Carbon Environmental Protection Engineering Technology Research Center, Yulin High-tech Zone Yuheng No. 1 Industrial Sewage Treatment Co., Ltd., Yulin 719000, China
| | - Xiaoliang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in North West Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Xing Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in North West Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
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Li B, Han Z, Ma J, Qiu W, Li W, Zhang B, Zhai X, Ding A, He X. Novel sodium percarbonate-MnO 2 effervescent tablets for efficient and moderate membrane cleaning. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 220:118716. [PMID: 35687974 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Membrane flux recovery efficiency and durability are two key factors closely associated with the practical application for membrane cleaning process. However, conventional chemical membrane cleaning method by soaking the whole membrane module in highly concentrated chemical reagents has prominent drawbacks including the low mass transfer efficiency of reagents, long period of washing time, and the potential threat to membrane structure. Herein, for the first time, we report a facile approach to fabricate the sodium percarbonate-MnO2 effervescent tablets which show bubbling reaction to release oxygen and free radicals when being dispersed in water for membrane cleaning. Due to the synergistic effect of MnO2 and sodium percarbonate, the tablets are highly effective to clean the membrane fouled by humic acid within 5 min, with the terminal membrane flux being recovered from 0.50 to 0.95, and the irreversible fouling resistance being reduced by more than 90%, which is prominently more efficient than the conventional chemical cleaning methods. Moreover, even by consecutive membrane fouling and cleaning for 6 times, the membrane flux and filtration efficiency of the membrane could still be kept almost constant, and the moderateness of this membrane cleaning method was also verified by the systematic microscopic analysis. For mechanism study, results of Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) and quenching experiments indicated that the high-efficiency and robust durability of sodium percarbonate-MnO2 (SPC-MnO2) system for membrane cleaning was mainly attributed to the abundantly generated hydroxyl radicals and secondary free radicals (i.e. carbonate radicals). Conclusively, compared with the conventional membrane cleaning method with liquid cleaning reagents, the novel SPC-MnO2 system with remarkable advantages in terms of convenience and membrane cleaning performance demonstrated high potential for the wide application in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boda Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Ziwen Han
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Jun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Wei Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Wenqian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Xuedong Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - An Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Xu He
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
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Terán Hilares R, Singh I, Tejada Meza K, Colina Andrade GJ, Pacheco Tanaka DA. Alternative methods for cleaning membranes in water and wastewater treatment. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2022; 94:e10708. [PMID: 35365970 DOI: 10.1002/wer.10708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Membrane fouling is caused by foulant deposition or adsorption through physical or chemical interactions on the membrane surface, causing the reduction of flux through the membrane. The main drawbacks of chemical agents used for cleaning are cost, damage caused on the membrane, and waste stream making the process unattractive. Alternative, methods such as ultrasound, enzymatic process, and osmotic backwashing were explored for membrane cleaning. Among all mentioned methods, micronanobubbles have been reported as a promising and emergent method for membrane surface cleaning; unfortunately, the information is limited, but preliminary studies have shown it as an efficient, cheap, and environmentally friendly technique. Other methods like electrically and vibratory-enhanced membrane cleaning also could be interesting but currently are unexplored and information is limited. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Chemical cleaning is an efficient option; however, from an environmental point of view, it is not attractive, and high concentrations could cause damage to the membrane. Micronanobubbles are an emergent and suitable technology for membrane and surface cleaning. Membrane modification and functionalization avoid membrane fast fouling, and the cleaning process is easier, but the manufacture cost could be expensive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruly Terán Hilares
- Departamento de Ciencias e Ingenierías Biológicas y Químicas, Universidad Católica de Santa María (UCSM), Arequipa, Peru
| | - Imman Singh
- Rauschert Industries, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kevin Tejada Meza
- Departamento de Ciencias e Ingenierías Biológicas y Químicas, Universidad Católica de Santa María (UCSM), Arequipa, Peru
| | - Gilberto J Colina Andrade
- Departamento de Ciencias e Ingenierías Biológicas y Químicas, Universidad Católica de Santa María (UCSM), Arequipa, Peru
| | - David Alfredo Pacheco Tanaka
- Departamento de Ciencias e Ingenierías Biológicas y Químicas, Universidad Católica de Santa María (UCSM), Arequipa, Peru
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