1
|
Jawed AS, Nassar L, Hegab HM, van der Merwe R, Al Marzooqi F, Banat F, Hasan SW. Recent developments in solar-powered membrane distillation for sustainable desalination. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31656. [PMID: 38828351 PMCID: PMC11140715 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The freshwater shortage continues to be one of the greatest challenges affecting our planet. Although traditional membrane distillation (MD) can produce clean water regardless of climatic conditions, the process wastes a lot of energy. The technique of solar-powered membrane distillation (SPMD) has received a lot of interest in the past decade, thanks to the development of photothermal materials. SPMD is a promising replacement for the traditional MD based on fossil fuels, as it can prevent the harmful effects of emissions on the environment. Integrating green solar energy with MD can reduce the cost of the water purification process and secure freshwater production in remote areas. At this point, it is important to consider the most current progress of the SPMD system and highlight the challenges and prospects of this technology. Based on this, the background, recent advances, and principles of MD and SPMD, their configurations and mechanisms, fabrication methods, advantages, and current limitations are discussed. Detailed comparisons between SPMD and traditional MD, assessments of various standards for incorporating photothermal materials with desirable properties, discussions of desalination and other applications of SPMD and MD, and energy consumption rates are also covered. The final section addresses the potential of SPMD to outperform traditional desalination technology while improving water production without requiring a significant amount of electrical or high-grade thermal energy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad S. Jawed
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lobna Nassar
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Civil Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hanaa M. Hegab
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Riaan van der Merwe
- Department of Civil Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Faisal Al Marzooqi
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fawzi Banat
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shadi W. Hasan
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box, 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Almarzooqi N, Alwan RA, AlMarzooqi F, Ghaffour N, Hong S, Arafat HA. Solar-driven surface-heating membrane distillation using Ti 3C 2T x MXene-coated spacers. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 351:141129. [PMID: 38199497 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141129] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of two-dimensional (2D) MXenes as efficient light-to-heat conversion materials offers significant potential for solar-based desalination, particularly in photothermal interfacial evaporation, enabling cost-effective solar-powered membrane distillation (MD). This study investigates solar-powered MD afforded by a photothermally functionalized spacer, which is built by spray-coating Ti3C2Tx MXene sheets on metallic spacers. 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene gives an ultrahigh photothermal conversion efficiency; thereby, by Ti3C2Tx MXene-coated metallic spacer, this rationally designed spacer allows for a localized photothermal conversion and interfacial feed heating effect on the membrane surface, especially for MD operation. As a feed spacer and a photothermal element, Ti3C2Tx MXene-coated metallic spacer exhibited stable enhanced water flux of up to 0.36 kg·m-2h-1 under one sun illumination for a feed salinity of 35 g·L-1, corresponding energy conversion efficiency of 28.3 %. Overall, the developed photothermal Ti3C2Tx MXene-coated spacers displayed great potential in enhancing the performance, scalability, and feasibility of solar-driven MD process, paving the way for further development of photothermal elements that can be implemented in solar MD applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noora Almarzooqi
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates; Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rawan Abu Alwan
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates; Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Faisal AlMarzooqi
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates; Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Noreddine Ghaffour
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Environmental Science & Engineering Program, Biological & Environmental Science & Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seunghyun Hong
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates; Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Hassan A Arafat
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates; Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates; Research and Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D), Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang N, Zhang J, Zhu X, Yuan S, Wang D, Xu H, Wang Z. Synergistic Effect of Ti 3C 2T x MXene Nanosheets and Tannic Acid-Fe 3+ Network in Constructing High-Performance Hydrogel Composite Membrane for Photothermal Membrane Distillation. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:724-732. [PMID: 38166126 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Photothermal membrane distillation (PMD) has emerged as a promising and sustainable approach for seawater desalination and wastewater purification. However, the wide application of the technique is severely impeded by low freshwater production and membrane fouling/wetting issues. Herein, we developed an advanced hydrogel-engineered membrane with simultaneously enhanced photothermal conversion capacity and desired fouling and wetting resistance for PMD. By the synergies of photothermal Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets and the tannic acid-Fe3+ network in the hydrogel, the membrane was endowed with excellent surface self-heating ability, yielding the highest freshwater production rate (1.71 kg m-2 h-1) and photothermal efficiency among the fabricated hydrogel composite membranes under 1 sun irradiation. Meanwhile, the PMD membrane could robustly resist oil-induced fouling and surfactant-induced wetting, significantly extending the membrane lifespan in treating contaminated saline water. Furthermore, when desalinating real seawater, the membrane exhibited superior durability with a stable vapor flux and excellent ion rejection (e.g., 99.24% for boron) for 100 h.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Na Zhang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaojiao Zhang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohui Zhu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Shideng Yuan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoran Xu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhining Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li D, Cheng Y, Luo Y, Teng Y, Liu Y, Feng L, Wang N, Zhao Y. Electrospun Nanofiber Materials for Photothermal Interfacial Evaporation. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:5676. [PMID: 37629967 PMCID: PMC10456569 DOI: 10.3390/ma16165676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Photothermal interfacial evaporation with low cost and environmental friendliness has attracted much attention. However, there are still many problems with this technology, such as heat loss and salt accumulation. Due to their different structures and adjustable chemical composition, electrospun nanofiber materials generally exhibit some unique properties that provide new approaches to address the aforementioned issues. In this review, the rational design principles for improving the total efficiency of solar evaporation are described for thermal/water management systems and salt-resistance strategies. And we review the state-of-the-art advancements in photothermal evaporation based on nanofiber materials and discuss their derivative applications in desalination, water purification, and power generation. Finally, we highlight key challenges and opportunities in both fundamental research and practical applications to inform further developments in the field of interfacial evaporation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dianming Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (D.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yingying Cheng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (D.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yanxia Luo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (D.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yuqin Teng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (D.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yanhua Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (D.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Libang Feng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (D.L.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Nü Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bioinspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Bioinspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tan YZ, Alias NH, Aziz MHA, Jaafar J, Othman FEC, Chew JW. Progress on Improved Fouling Resistance-Nanofibrous Membrane for Membrane Distillation: A Mini-Review. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:727. [PMID: 37623788 PMCID: PMC10456459 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13080727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Nanofibrous membranes for membrane distillation (MD) have demonstrated promising results in treating various water and wastewater streams. Significant progress has been made in recent decades because of the development of sophisticated membrane materials, such as superhydrophobic, omniphobic and Janus membranes. However, fouling and wetting remain crucial issues for long-term operation. This mini-review summarizes ideas as well as their limitations in understanding the fouling in membrane distillation, comprising organic, inorganic and biofouling. This review also provides progress in developing antifouling nanofibrous membranes for membrane distillation and ongoing modifications on nanofiber membranes for improved membrane distillation performance. Lastly, challenges and future ways to develop antifouling nanofiber membranes for MD application have been systematically elaborated. The present mini-review will interest scientists and engineers searching for the progress in MD development and its solutions to the MD fouling issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zen Tan
- School of Chemistry, Chemical and Biotechnology Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637459, Singapore;
| | - Nur Hashimah Alias
- School of Chemistry, Chemical and Biotechnology Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637459, Singapore;
- Department of Oil and Gas Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam 40450, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Haiqal Abd Aziz
- Department of Chemical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh Higher Education Hub Muar, Batu Pahat 84600, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Juhana Jaafar
- Advanced Membrane Technology Research Center (AMTEC), School of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia;
| | - Faten Ermala Che Othman
- Digital Manufacturing & Design Center (DManD), Singapore University of Technology & Design, 8 Somapah Road, Singapore 487372, Singapore;
| | - Jia Wei Chew
- School of Chemistry, Chemical and Biotechnology Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637459, Singapore;
- Singapore Membrane Technology Center, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637141, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shi D, Gong T, Wang R, Qing W, Shao S. Control the hydrophilic layer thickness of Janus membranes by manipulating membrane wetting in membrane distillation. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 237:119984. [PMID: 37099871 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Janus membranes with asymmetric wettability have attracted wide attentions for their robust anti-oil-wetting/fouling abilities in membrane distillation (MD). Compared to traditional surface modification approaches, in this study, we provided a new approach which manipulated surfactant-induced wetting to fabricate Janus membrane with a controllable thickness of the hydrophilic layer. The membranes with 10, 20, and 40 μm of wetted layers were obtained by stopping the wetting induced by 40 mg L-1 Triton X-100 (J = 25 L m-2 h-1) at about 15, 40, and 120 s, respectively. Then, the wetted layers were coated using polydopamine (PDA) to fabricate the Janus membranes. The resulting Janus membranes showed no significant change in porosities or pore size distributions compared with the virgin PVDF membrane. These Janus membranes exhibited low in-air water contact angles (< 50°), high underwater oil contact angles (> 145°), and low adhesion with oil droplets. Therefore, they all showed excellent oil-water separation performance with ∼100% rejection and stable flux. The Janus membranes showed no significant decline in flux, but a trade-off existed between the hydrophilic layer thicknesses and the vapor flux. Utilizing membranes with tunable hydrophilic layer thickness, we elucidated the underlying mechanism of such trade-off in mass transfer. Furthermore, the successful modification of membranes with different coatings and in-situ immobilization of silver nanoparticles indicated that this facile modification method is universal and can be further expanded for multifunctional membrane fabrication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danting Shi
- School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Tengjing Gong
- School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Rui Wang
- Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Weihua Qing
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, USA
| | - Senlin Shao
- School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lou M, Li J, Zhu X, Chen J, Zhang X, Fang X, Li F. Difunctional MOF-wrapped graphene membranes for efficient photothermal membrane distillation and VOCs interception. J Memb Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2023.121592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
|
8
|
Almarzooqi N, Hong S, Verma P, Shaheen A, Schiffer A, AlMarzooqi F. Photothermal Surface Heating Membrane Distillation Using 3D-Printed Ti 3C 2T x MXene-Based Nanocomposite Spacers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:20998-21007. [PMID: 37096876 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c00830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
To address the growing global need for freshwater, it has become essential to use nonpotable saline water. Solar membrane distillation is a potential desalination method that does not need conventional electricity and may cut water production costs. In this study, we develop a photothermal surface heating membrane distillation using a new class of photothermal spacers constructed with Ti3C2Tx MXene-based nanocomposites. In contrast to traditional membrane distillation, which utilizes energy-intensive bulk feed heating, solar-powered surface heating membrane distillation removes the external thermal energy input requirements, hence reducing operating costs significantly. In particular, three-dimensional (3D)-printing technology was used to fabricate the functional spacer, which allowed the design and materials to be fine-tuned per the needs of the process. Under solar illumination, the printed spacer can exhibit a localized photothermal conversion-driven heating effect near the surface of distillation membranes, which generates vapor pressure strong enough to operate distillation across membranes. Importantly, a two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXene with outstanding photothermal conversion efficiency and stability in hypersaline ionic solutions was incorporated into the 3D-printed spacers as the crucial nanofiller for imparting a local heating effect of feed. The fabricated nanocomposite spacers showed superior photothermal heating response under sunlight with an average permeate flux and energy conversion efficiency of 0.49 kg·m-2·h-1 and 30.6%, respectively. An enhancement in both photothermal efficiency and permeate flux was noticed as the amount of MXene nanosheets increased in the 3D-printed spacers. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using 3D-printed photothermal spacers for high-performance and sustainable surface heating membrane distillation, providing a promising avenue for further improvement with other photothermal nanofillers or spacer modifications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noora Almarzooqi
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Seunghyun Hong
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Pawan Verma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alaa Shaheen
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Andreas Schiffer
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Faisal AlMarzooqi
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Carbon nanotubes@fly ash Janus composite membrane prepared from fly ash and waste plastics for efficient solar membrane distillation. J Memb Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2023.121463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
10
|
Ju J, Huang Y, Liu M, Xie N, Shi J, Fan Y, Zhao Y, Kang W. Construction of electrospinning Janus nanofiber membranes for efficient solar-driven membrane distillation. Sep Purif Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.122348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
11
|
Fluoropolymer Membranes for Membrane Distillation and Membrane Crystallization. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14245439. [PMID: 36559805 PMCID: PMC9782556 DOI: 10.3390/polym14245439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluoropolymer membranes are applied in membrane operations such as membrane distillation and membrane crystallization where hydrophobic porous membranes act as a physical barrier separating two phases. Due to their hydrophobic nature, only gaseous molecules are allowed to pass through the membrane and are collected on the permeate side, while the aqueous solution cannot penetrate. However, these two processes suffer problems such as membrane wetting, fouling or scaling. Membrane wetting is a common and undesired phenomenon, which is caused by the loss of hydrophobicity of the porous membrane employed. This greatly affects the mass transfer efficiency and separation efficiency. Simultaneously, membrane fouling occurs, along with membrane wetting and scaling, which greatly reduces the lifespan of the membranes. Therefore, strategies to improve the hydrophobicity of membranes have been widely investigated by researchers. In this direction, hydrophobic fluoropolymer membrane materials are employed more and more for membrane distillation and membrane crystallization thanks to their high chemical and thermal resistance. This paper summarizes different preparation methods of these fluoropolymer membrane, such as non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS), thermally-induced phase separation (TIPS), vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS), etc. Hydrophobic modification methods, including surface coating, surface grafting and blending, etc., are also introduced. Moreover, the research advances on the application of less toxic solvents for preparing these membranes are herein reviewed. This review aims to provide guidance to researchers for their future membrane development in membrane distillation and membrane crystallization, using fluoropolymer materials.
Collapse
|
12
|
Yu J, Yue D, Sun D, Li B, Ge Y, Lin Y. Micron flower-like CuO light trapping grown on the copper foam skeleton combined with PVDF membrane for solar-driven vacuum membrane distillation. Sep Purif Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.121989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
|
13
|
Santoro S, Avci AH, Politano A, Curcio E. The advent of thermoplasmonic membrane distillation. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:6087-6125. [PMID: 35789347 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00097c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Freshwater scarcity is a vital societal challenge related to climate change, population pressure, and agricultural and industrial demands. Therefore, sustainable desalination/purification of salty/contaminated water for human uses is particularly relevant. Membrane distillation is an emerging hybrid thermal-membrane technology with the potential to overcome the drawbacks of conventional desalination by a synergic exploitation of the water-energy nexus. Although membrane distillation is considered a green technology, efficient heat management remains a critical concern affecting the cost of the process and hindering its viability at large scale. A multidisciplinary approach that involves materials chemistry, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials and polymer science is required to solve this problem. The combination of solar energy with membrane distillation is considered a potentially feasible low-cost approach for providing high-quality freshwater with a low carbon footprint. In particular, recent discoveries about efficient light-to-heat conversion in nanomaterials have opened unprecedented perspectives for the implementation of sunlight-based renewable energy in membrane distillation. The integration of nanofillers enabling photothermal effects into membranes has been demonstrated to be able to significantly enhance the energy efficiency without impacting on economic costs. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview on the state of the art, the opportunities, open challenges and pitfalls of the emerging field of solar-driven membrane distillation. We also assess the peculiar physicochemical properties and synthesis scalability of photothermal materials, as well as the strategies for their integration into polymeric nanocomposite membranes enabling efficient light-to-heat conversion and freshwater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Santoro
- University of Calabria - Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Cubo 44 A, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036 Rende CS, Italy.
| | - Ahmet H Avci
- University of Calabria - Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Cubo 44 A, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036 Rende CS, Italy.
| | - Antonio Politano
- Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila (AQ), Italy.
| | - Efrem Curcio
- University of Calabria - Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Cubo 44 A, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036 Rende CS, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Li S, Qiu F, Xia Y, Chen D, Jiao X. Integrating a Self-Floating Janus TPC@CB Sponge for Efficient Solar-Driven Interfacial Water Evaporation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:19409-19418. [PMID: 35446540 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c01359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Solar-driven photothermal interfacial evaporation is considered as one of the most promising strategies in seawater desalination and wastewater treatment. In desalination, evaporation efficiency and salt resistance are regarded as two inter-constraint measures. Thus, it is still challenging to fabricate solar evaporators with both high evaporation efficiency and excellent salt resistance. In the present work, a self-floating Janus sponge composed of hydrophobic carbon black (CB) coating and hydrophilic porous thermoplastic polyurethane-carbon nanotube (TPC) nanofibrous substrate (TPC@CB) is fabricated via a simple electrospinning and gas templating expansion method. Attributing to the unique trilaminar functional architecture: the upper superhydrophobic solar-absorption coating, the intermediate ultrathin heat localization layer, and the lower cellular thermal insulation layer, the Janus TPC@CB sponge exhibits high evaporation efficiency (1.80 kg m-2 h-1 with an energy efficiency of 97.2% under 1.0 solar irradiation) and outstanding salt resistance ability. Moreover, zero liquid discharge in salt-containing wastewater treatment is realized using the Janus TPC@CB sponge as a solar-driven photothermal medium. This work provides a promising approach to seawater desalination and wastewater treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuying Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Feng Qiu
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Yuguo Xia
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Dairong Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Xiuling Jiao
- National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|