Oriented shish-kebab like ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene membrane for direct contact membrane distillation

Effect of hydrophobized PET TeMs membrane pore-size on saline water treatment by direct contact membrane distillation

This paper describes the desalination process by membrane distillation (MD) using track-etched membranes (TeMs). Hydrophobic track-etched membranes based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET TeMs) with pore diameters from 700 to 1300 nm were prepared by UV-initiated graft polymerization of lauryl methacrylate (LMA) inside the nanochannels. Modified PET TeMs were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and contact wetting angle (CA) measurements. Hydrophobic PET TeMs were tested for treating saline solutions of different concentrations by the direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) method. The influence of membrane pore diameter and salt solution concentration on the water flux and rejection degree were investigated. Membranes with CA 94 ± 4° were tested in the direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) of 7.5-30 g L-1 saline solution. Hydrophobic membranes with large pore sizes showed water fluxes in the range of 1.88 to 11.70 kg m-2 h-1 with salt rejection values of up to 91.4%.

Engineering Polymer-Based Porous Membrane for Sustainable Lithium-Ion Battery Separators

Due to the growing demand for eco-friendly products, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have gained widespread attention as an energy storage solution. With the global demand for clean and sustainable energy, the social, economic, and environmental significance of LIBs is becoming more widely recognized. LIBs are composed of cathode and anode electrodes, electrolytes, and separators. Notably, the separator, a pivotal and indispensable component in LIBs that primarily consists of a porous membrane material, warrants significant research attention. Researchers have thus endeavored to develop innovative systems that enhance separator performance, fortify security measures, and address prevailing limitations. Herein, this review aims to furnish researchers with comprehensive content on battery separator membranes, encompassing performance requirements, functional parameters, manufacturing protocols, scientific progress, and overall performance evaluations. Specifically, it investigates the latest breakthroughs in porous membrane design, fabrication, modification, and optimization that employ various commonly used or emerging polymeric materials. Furthermore, the article offers insights into the future trajectory of polymer-based composite membranes for LIB applications and prospective challenges awaiting scientific exploration. The robust and durable membranes developed have shown superior efficacy across diverse applications. Consequently, these proposed concepts pave the way for a circular economy that curtails waste materials, lowers process costs, and mitigates the environmental footprint.

Current State-of-the-Art in Membrane Formation from Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

One of the materials that attracts attention as a potential material for membrane formation is ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). One potential material for membrane formation is ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The present review summarizes the results of studies carried out over the last 30 years in the field of preparation, modification and structure and property control of membranes made from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The review also presents a classification of the methods of membrane formation from this polymer and analyzes the conventional (based on the analysis of incomplete phase diagrams) and alternative (based on the analysis of phase diagrams supplemented by a boundary line reflecting the polymer swelling degree dependence on temperature) physicochemical concepts of the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method used to prepare UHMWPE membranes. It also considers the main ways to control the structure and properties of UHMWPE membranes obtained by TIPS and the original variations of this method. This review discusses the current challenges in UHMWPE membrane formation, such as the preparation of a homogeneous solution and membrane shrinkage. Finally, the article speculates about the modification and application of UHMWPE membranes and further development prospects. Thus, this paper summarizes the achievements in all aspects of UHMWPE membrane studies.