LBL Surface Modification of a Nanofiltration Membrane for Removing the Salts of Glutathione Solutions

Progress towards Stable and High-Performance Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Nanofiltration Membranes for Future Wastewater Treatment Applications

The increasing demand for nanofiltration processes in drinking water treatment, industrial separation and wastewater treatment processes has highlighted several shortcomings of current state-of-the-art thin film composite (TFC NF) membranes, including limitations in chemical resistance, fouling resistance and selectivity. Polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) membranes provide a viable, industrially applicable alternative, providing significant improvements in these limitations. Laboratory experiments using artificial feedwaters have demonstrated selectivity an order of magnitude higher than polyamide NF, significantly higher fouling resistance and excellent chemical resistance (e.g., 200,000 ppmh chlorine resistance and stability over the 0-14 pH range). This review provides a brief overview of the various parameters that can be modified during the layer-by-layer procedure to determine and fine-tune the properties of the resulting NF membrane. The different parameters that can be adjusted during the layer-by-layer process are presented, which are used to optimize the properties of the resulting nanofiltration membrane. Substantial progress in PEM membrane development is presented, particularly selectivity improvements, of which the most promising route seems to be asymmetric PEM NF membranes, offering a breakthrough in active layer thickness and organic/salt selectivity: an average of 98% micropollutant rejection coupled with a NaCl rejection below 15%. Advantages for wastewater treatment are highlighted, including high selectivity, fouling resistance, chemical stability and a wide range of cleaning methods. Additionally, disadvantages of the current PEM NF membranes are also outlined; while these may impede their use in some industrial wastewater applications, they are largely not restrictive. The effect of realistic feeds (wastewaters and challenging surface waters) on PEM NF membrane performance is also presented: pilot studies conducted for up to 12 months show stable rejection values and no significant irreversible fouling. We close our review by identifying research areas where further studies are needed to facilitate the adoption of this notable technology.

A closer physico-chemical look to the Layer-by-Layer electrostatic self-assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayers

The fabrication of polyelectrolyte multilayer films (PEMs) using the Layer-by-Layer (LbL) method is one of the most versatile approaches for manufacturing functional surfaces. This is the result of the possibility to control the assembly process of the LbL films almost at will, by changing the nature of the assembled materials (building blocks), the assembly conditions (pH, ionic strength, temperature, etc.) or even by changing some other operational parameters which may impact in the structure and physico-chemical properties of the obtained multi-layered films. Therefore, the understanding of the impact of the above mentioned parameters on the assembly process of LbL materials plays a critical role in the potential use of the LbL method for the fabrication of new functional materials with technological interest. This review tries to provide a broad physico-chemical perspective to the study of the fabrication process of PEMs by the LbL method, which allows one to take advantage of the many possibilities offered for this approach on the fabrication of new functional nanomaterials.

Efficacy of CNT-bound polyelectrolyte membrane by spray-assisted layer-by-layer (LbL) technique on water purification

This study demonstrates anti-fouling properties of surface-modified polyethersulfone composite ultrafiltration membranes prepared by a spray-assisted layer-by-layer technique.