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Lu C, Chen Z, Wu Y, Zhang Y, Wang F, Hu C, Qu J. Response of Ionic Hydration Structure and Selective Transport Behavior to Aqueous Solution Chemistry during Nanofiltration. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:11791-11801. [PMID: 38871647 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c01783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
The effect of aqueous solution chemistry on the ionic hydration structure and its corresponding nanofiltration (NF) selectivity is a research gap concerning ion-selective transport. In this study, the hydration distribution of two typical monovalent anions (Cl- and NO3-) under different aqueous solution chemical conditions and the corresponding transmembrane selectivity during NF were investigated by using in situ liquid time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry in combination with molecular dynamics simulations. We demonstrate the inextricable link between the ion hydration structure and the pore steric effect and further find that ionic transmembrane transport can be regulated by breaking the balance between the hydrogen bond network (i.e., water-water) and ion hydration (i.e., ion-water) interactions of hydrated ion. For strongly hydrated (H2O)nCl- with more intense ion-water interactions, a higher salt concentration and coexisting ion competition led to a larger hydrated size and, thus, a higher ion rejection by the NF membrane, whereas weakly hydrated (H2O)nNO3- takes the reverse under the same conditions. Stronger OH--anion hydration competition resulted in a smaller hydrated size of (H2O)nCl- and (H2O)nNO3-, showing a lower observed average hydration number at pH 10.5. This study deepens the long-overlooked understanding of NF separation mechanisms, concerning the hydration structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghai Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhibin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - You Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Fuyi Wang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Chengzhi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiuhui Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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2
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Zhou S, Mei Y, Yang W, Jiang C, Guo H, Feng SP, Tang CY. Energy harvesting from acid mine drainage using a highly proton/ion-selective thin polyamide film. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 255:121530. [PMID: 38564897 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
A huge chemical potential difference exists between the acid mine drainage (AMD) and the alkaline neutralization solution, which is wasted in the traditional AMD neutralization process. This study reports, for the first time, the harvest of this chemical potential energy through a controlled neutralization of AMD using H+-conductive films. Polyamide films with controllable thickness achieved much higher H+ conductance than a commercially available cation exchange membrane (CEM). Meanwhile, the optimal polyamide film had an excellent H+/Ca2+ selectivity of 63.7, over two orders of magnitude higher than that of the CEM (0.3). The combined advantages of fast proton transport and high proton/ion selectivity greatly enhanced the power generation of the AMD battery. The power density was 3.1 W m-2, which is over one order of magnitude higher than that of the commercial CEM (0.2 W m-2). Our study provides a new sustainable solution to address the environmental issues of AMD while simultaneously enabling clean energy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghua Zhou
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR 999077, PR China
| | - Ying Mei
- Research and Development Center for Watershed Environmental Eco-Engineering, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, PR China.
| | - Wulin Yang
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Chenxiao Jiang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230052, PR China
| | - Hao Guo
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR 999077, PR China; Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Shien-Ping Feng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR 999077, PR China; Department of Advanced Design and Systems Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, PR China
| | - Chuyang Y Tang
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR 999077, PR China.
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3
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Sarkar P, Wu C, Yang Z, Tang CY. Empowering ultrathin polyamide membranes at the water-energy nexus: strategies, limitations, and future perspectives. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:4374-4399. [PMID: 38529541 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00803g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Membrane-based separation is one of the most energy-efficient methods to meet the growing need for a significant amount of fresh water. It is also well-known for its applications in water treatment, desalination, solvent recycling, and environmental remediation. Most typical membranes used for separation-based applications are thin-film composite membranes created using polymers, featuring a top selective layer generated by employing the interfacial polymerization technique at an aqueous-organic interface. In the last decade, various manufacturing techniques have been developed in order to create high-specification membranes. Among them, the creation of ultrathin polyamide membranes has shown enormous potential for achieving a significant increase in the water permeation rate, translating into major energy savings in various applications. However, this great potential of ultrathin membranes is greatly hindered by undesired transport phenomena such as the geometry-induced "funnel effect" arising from the substrate membrane, severely limiting the actual permeation rate. As a result, the separation capability of ultrathin membranes is still not fully unleashed or understood, and a critical assessment of their limitations and potential solutions for future studies is still lacking. Here, we provide a summary of the latest developments in the design of ultrathin polyamide membranes, which have been achieved by controlling the interfacial polymerization process and utilizing a number of novel manufacturing processes for ionic and molecular separations. Next, an overview of the in-depth assessment of their limitations resulting from the substrate membrane, along with potential solutions and future perspectives will be covered in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pulak Sarkar
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Chenyue Wu
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chuyang Y Tang
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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4
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Yao Y, Zhang P, Sun F, Zhang W, Li M, Sha G, Teng L, Wang X, Huo M, DuChanois RM, Cao T, Boo C, Zhang X, Elimelech M. More resilient polyester membranes for high-performance reverse osmosis desalination. Science 2024; 384:333-338. [PMID: 38669571 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk0632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Thin-film composite reverse osmosis membranes have remained the gold standard technology for desalination and water purification for nearly half a century. Polyamide films offer excellent water permeability and salt rejection but also suffer from poor chlorine resistance, high fouling propensity, and low boron rejection. We addressed these issues by molecularly designing a polyester thin-film composite reverse osmosis membrane using co-solvent-assisted interfacial polymerization to react 3,5-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzoic acid with trimesoyl chloride. This polyester membrane exhibits substantial water permeability, high rejection for sodium chloride and boron, and complete resistance toward chlorine. The ultrasmooth, low-energy surface of the membrane also prevents fouling and mineral scaling compared with polyamide membranes. These membranes could increasingly challenge polyamide membranes by further optimizing water-salt selectivity, offering a path to considerably reducing pretreatment steps in desalination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujian Yao
- Key Laboratory of New Membrane Materials, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Pingxia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on High-Tech Polymer Materials, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Key Laboratory of New Membrane Materials, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of New Membrane Materials, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Meng Li
- Key Laboratory of New Membrane Materials, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Gang Sha
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Herbert Gleiter Institute of Nanoscience, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Long Teng
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Herbert Gleiter Institute of Nanoscience, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Xianze Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Low-Carbon Treatment and Green Development of Polluted Water in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Mingxin Huo
- Engineering Research Center of Low-Carbon Treatment and Green Development of Polluted Water in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Ryan M DuChanois
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Tianchi Cao
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Chanhee Boo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of New Membrane Materials, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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5
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Xue YR, Liu C, Ma ZY, Zhu CY, Wu J, Liang HQ, Yang HC, Zhang C, Xu ZK. Harmonic amide bond density as a game-changer for deciphering the crosslinking puzzle of polyamide. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1539. [PMID: 38378907 PMCID: PMC10879148 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45918-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
It is particularly essential to analyze the complex crosslinked networks within polyamide membranes and their correlation with separation efficiency for the insightful tailoring of desalination membranes. However, using the degree of network crosslinking as a descriptor yields abnormal analytical outcomes and limited correlation with desalination performance due to imperfections in segmentation and calculation methods. Herein, we introduce a more rational parameter, denoted as harmonic amide bond density (HABD), to unravel the relationship between the crosslinked networks of polyamide membranes and their desalination performance. HABD quantifies the number of distinct amide bonds per unit mass of polyamide, based on a comprehensive segmentation of polyamide structure and consistent computational protocols derived from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data. Compared to its counterpart, HABD overcomes the limitations and offers a more accurate depiction of the crosslinked networks. Empirical data validate that HABD exhibits the expected correlation with the salt rejection and water permeance of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration polyamide membranes. Notably, HABD is applicable for analyzing complex crosslinked polyamide networks formed by highly functional monomers. By offering a powerful toolbox for systematic analysis of crosslinked polyamide networks, HABD facilitates the development of permselective membranes with enhanced performance in desalination applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ren Xue
- Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- The "Belt and Road" Sino-Portugal Joint Lab on Advanced Materials, International Research Center for X Polymers, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- The "Belt and Road" Sino-Portugal Joint Lab on Advanced Materials, International Research Center for X Polymers, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhao-Yu Ma
- Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- The "Belt and Road" Sino-Portugal Joint Lab on Advanced Materials, International Research Center for X Polymers, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Cheng-Ye Zhu
- Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- The "Belt and Road" Sino-Portugal Joint Lab on Advanced Materials, International Research Center for X Polymers, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hong-Qing Liang
- Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- The "Belt and Road" Sino-Portugal Joint Lab on Advanced Materials, International Research Center for X Polymers, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Hao-Cheng Yang
- Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- The "Belt and Road" Sino-Portugal Joint Lab on Advanced Materials, International Research Center for X Polymers, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- The "Belt and Road" Sino-Portugal Joint Lab on Advanced Materials, International Research Center for X Polymers, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhi-Kang Xu
- Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- The "Belt and Road" Sino-Portugal Joint Lab on Advanced Materials, International Research Center for X Polymers, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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6
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Wang R, Lin S. Membrane Design Principles for Ion-Selective Electrodialysis: An Analysis for Li/Mg Separation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38324772 PMCID: PMC10882969 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Selective electrodialysis (ED) is a promising membrane-based process to separate Li+ from Mg2+, which is the most critical step for Li extraction from brine lakes. This study theoretically compares the ED-based Li/Mg separation performance of different monovalent selective cation exchange membranes (CEMs) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes at the coupon scale using a unified mass transport model, i.e., a solution-friction model. We demonstrated that monovalent selective CEMs with a dense surface thin film like a polyamide film are more effective in enhancing the Li/Mg separation performance than those with a loose but highly charged thin film. Polyamide film-coated CEMs when used in ED have a performance similar to that of polyamide-based NF membranes when used in NF. NF membranes, when expected to replace monovalent selective CEMs in ED for Li/Mg separation, will require a thin support layer with low tortuosity and high porosity to reduce the internal concentration polarization. The coupon-scale performance analysis and comparison provide new insights into the design of composite membranes used for ED-based selective ion-ion separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyu Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1831, United States
| | - Shihong Lin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1831, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1831, United States
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7
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Yuan B, Zhang Y, Qi P, Yang D, Hu P, Zhao S, Zhang K, Zhang X, You M, Cui J, Jiang J, Lou X, Niu QJ. Self-assembled dendrimer polyamide nanofilms with enhanced effective pore area for ion separation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:471. [PMID: 38212318 PMCID: PMC10784486 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44530-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Membrane technology using well-defined pore structure can achieve high ion purity and recovery. However, fine-tuning the inner pore structure of the separation nanofilm to be uniform and enhance the effective pore area is still challenging. Here, we report dendrimers with different peripheral groups that preferentially self-assemble in aqueous-phase amine solution to facilitate the formation of polyamide nanofilms with a well-defined effective pore range and uniform pore structure. The high permeabilities are maintained by forming asymmetric hollow nanostripe nanofilms, and their well-designed ion effective separation pore ranges show an enhancement, rationalized by molecular simulation. The self-assembled dendrimer polyamide membrane provides Cl-/SO42- selectivity more than 17 times that of its pristine polyamide counterparts, increasing from 167.9 to 2883.0. Furthermore, the designed membranes achieve higher Li purity and Li recovery compared to current state-of-the-art membranes. Such an approach provides a scalable strategy to fine-tune subnanometre structures in ion separation nanofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Yuan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions Ministry of Education, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, Henan Normal University, 453007, Xinxiang, China.
| | - Yuhang Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions Ministry of Education, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, Henan Normal University, 453007, Xinxiang, China
| | - Pengfei Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, National Center for International Research on Membrane Science and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, P. R. China
| | - Dongxiao Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions Ministry of Education, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, Henan Normal University, 453007, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ping Hu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions Ministry of Education, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, Henan Normal University, 453007, Xinxiang, China
| | - Siheng Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions Ministry of Education, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, Henan Normal University, 453007, Xinxiang, China
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Nanshan District Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Kaili Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions Ministry of Education, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, Henan Normal University, 453007, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiaozhuan Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions Ministry of Education, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, Henan Normal University, 453007, Xinxiang, China
| | - Meng You
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions Ministry of Education, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, Henan Normal University, 453007, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jiabao Cui
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions Ministry of Education, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, Henan Normal University, 453007, Xinxiang, China
| | - Juhui Jiang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions Ministry of Education, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, Henan Normal University, 453007, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiangdong Lou
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions Ministry of Education, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology and Health Protection, Henan Normal University, 453007, Xinxiang, China
| | - Q Jason Niu
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Nanshan District Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China.
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8
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Yue S, Nandy A, Kulik HJ. Discovering Molecular Coordination Environment Trends for Selective Ion Binding to Molecular Complexes Using Machine Learning. J Phys Chem B 2023. [PMID: 38038675 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c06416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
The design of ion-selective materials with improved separation efficacy and efficiency is paramount, as current technologies fail to meet real-world deployment challenges. Selectivity in these materials can be informed by local ion binding in confined membrane ion channels. In this study, we utilize a data-driven approach to investigate design features in small molecular complexes coordinating ions as simplified models of ion channels. We curate a data set of 563 alkali metal coordinating molecular complexes (i.e., with Li+, Na+, or K+) from the Cambridge Structural Database and calculate differential ion binding energies using density functional theory. Using this information, we probe when and why structures favor exchange with alternate ions. Our analysis reveals that energetic preferences are related to ion size but are largely due to chemical interactions rather than structural reorganization. We identify unique trends in the selectivity for Li+ over other alkali ions, including the presence of N coordination atoms, planar coordination geometry, and small coordinating ring sizes. We use machine learning models to identify the key contributions of both geometric and electronic features in predicting selective ion binding. These physical insights offer preliminary guidance into the design of optimal membranes for ion selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwen Yue
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Aditya Nandy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Heather J Kulik
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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9
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Zhang Y, Wang H, Guo J, Cheng X, Han G, Lau CH, Lin H, Liu S, Ma J, Shao L. Ice-confined synthesis of highly ionized 3D-quasilayered polyamide nanofiltration membranes. Science 2023; 382:202-206. [PMID: 37824644 DOI: 10.1126/science.adi9531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Existing polyamide (PA) membrane synthesis protocols are underpinned by controlling diffusion-dominant liquid-phase reactions that yield subpar spatial architectures and ionization behavior. We report an ice-confined interfacial polymerization strategy to enable the effective kinetic control of the interfacial reaction and thermodynamic manipulation of the hexagonal polytype (Ih) ice phase containing monomers to rationally synthesize a three-dimensional quasilayered PA membrane for nanofiltration. Experiments and molecular simulations confirmed the underlying membrane formation mechanism. Our ice-confined PA nanofiltration membrane features high-density ionized structure and exceptional transport channels, realizing superior water permeance and excellent ion selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiu Zhang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150009, China
| | - Hao Wang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Jing Guo
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Xiquan Cheng
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Sino-European Membrane Technology Research Institute, Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai 264209, China
| | - Gang Han
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Cher Hon Lau
- School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, UK
| | - Haiqing Lin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Shaomin Liu
- WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering, Curtin University Perth, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Jun Ma
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150009, China
| | - Lu Shao
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
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10
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Foo ZH, Thomas JB, Heath SM, Garcia JA, Lienhard JH. Sustainable Lithium Recovery from Hypersaline Salt-Lakes by Selective Electrodialysis: Transport and Thermodynamics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14747-14759. [PMID: 37721998 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Evaporative technology for lithium mining from salt-lakes exacerbates freshwater scarcity and wetland destruction, and suffers from protracted production cycles. Electrodialysis (ED) offers an environmentally benign alternative for continuous lithium extraction and is amenable to renewable energy usage. Salt-lake brines, however, are hypersaline multicomponent mixtures, and the impact of the complex brine-membrane interactions remains poorly understood. Here, we quantify the influence of the solution composition, salinity, and acidity on the counterion selectivity and thermodynamic efficiency of electrodialysis, leveraging 1250 original measurements with salt-lake brines that span four feed salinities, three pH levels, and five current densities. Our experiments reveal that commonly used binary cation solutions, which neglect Na+ and K+ transport, may overestimate the Li+/Mg2+ selectivity by 250% and underpredict the specific energy consumption (SEC) by a factor of 54.8. As a result of the hypersaline conditions, exposure to salt-lake brine weakens the efficacy of Donnan exclusion, amplifying Mg2+ leakage. Higher current densities enhance the Donnan potential across the solution-membrane interface and ameliorate the selectivity degradation with hypersaline brines. However, a steep trade-off between counterion selectivity and thermodynamic efficiency governs ED's performance: a 6.25 times enhancement in Li+/Mg2+ selectivity is accompanied by a 71.6% increase in the SEC. Lastly, our analysis suggests that an industrial-scale ED module can meet existing salt-lake production capacities, while being powered by a photovoltaic farm that utilizes <1% of the salt-flat area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Hao Foo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Center for Computational Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - John B Thomas
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Samuel M Heath
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jason A Garcia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - John H Lienhard
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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11
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Zhou X, Shi L, Taylor RF, Xie C, Bian B, Picioreanu C, Logan BE. Relative Insignificance of Polyamide Layer Selectivity for Seawater Electrolysis Applications. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14569-14578. [PMID: 37722004 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Low-cost polyamide thin-film composite (TFC) membranes are being explored as alternatives to cation exchange membranes for seawater electrolysis. An optimal membrane should have a low electrical resistance to minimize applied potentials needed for water electrolysis and be able to block chloride ions present in a seawater catholyte from reaching the anode. The largest energy loss associated with a TFC membrane was the Nernstian overpotential of 0.74 V (equivalent to 37 Ω cm2 at 20 mA cm-2), derived from the pH difference between the anolyte and catholyte and not the membrane ohmic overpotential. Based on analysis using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the pristine TFC membrane contributed only 5.00 Ω cm2 to the ohmic resistance. Removing the polyester support layer reduced the resistance by 79% to only 1.04 Ω cm2, without altering the salt ion transport between the electrolytes. Enlarging the pore size (∼5 times) in the polyamide active layer minimally impacted counterion transport across the membrane during electrolysis, but it increased the total concentration of chloride transported by 60%. Overall, this study suggests that TFC membranes with thinner but mechanically strong supporting layers and size-selective active layers should reduce energy consumption and the potential for chlorine generation for seawater electrolyzers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechen Zhou
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Le Shi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Rachel F Taylor
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Chenghan Xie
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Bin Bian
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Cristian Picioreanu
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bruce E Logan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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12
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Rehman D, Sheriff F, Lienhard JH. Quantifying uncertainty in nanofiltration transport models for enhanced metals recovery. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 243:120325. [PMID: 37487358 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120325] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
To decarbonize our global energy system, sustainably harvesting metals from diverse sourcewaters is essential. Membrane-based processes have recently shown great promise in meeting these needs by achieving high metal ion selectivities with relatively low water and energy use. An example is nanofiltration, which harnesses steric, dielectric, and Donnan exclusion mechanisms to perform size- and charge-based fractionation of metal ions. To further optimize nanofiltration systems, multicomponent models are needed; however, conventional methods necessitate large amounts of data for model calibration, introduce substantial uncertainty into the characterization process, and often yield poor results when extrapolated. In this work, we develop a new computational architecture to alleviate these concerns. Specifically, we develop a framework that: (1) reduces the data requirement for model calibration to only charged species measurements; (2) eliminates uncertainty propagation problems present in conventional characterization processes; (3) enables exploration of pH optimization for enhancing metal ion selectivities; and (4) enables uncertainty quantification to assess the sensitivity of partition coefficients and ion driving forces to learned pore size distributions. Our framework captures eight independent datasets comprising over 500 measurements to within ±15%. Our studies also suggest that the expectation-maximization algorithm can effectively learn pore size distributions and that optimizing pH can improve metal ion selectivities by a factor of 3-10×. Our findings also reveal that image charges appear to play a less pronounced role in dielectric exclusion under the studied conditions and that ion driving forces are more sensitive to pore size distributions than partition coefficients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyal Rehman
- Rohsenow Kendall Heat Transfer Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA; Centre for Computational Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA
| | - Fareed Sheriff
- Rohsenow Kendall Heat Transfer Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA
| | - John H Lienhard
- Rohsenow Kendall Heat Transfer Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA.
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13
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Lu C, Hu C, Chen Z, Wang P, Feng F, He G, Wang F, Zhang Y, Liu JZ, Zhang X, Qu J. Dehydration-enhanced ion-pore interactions dominate anion transport and selectivity in nanochannels. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf8412. [PMID: 37418527 PMCID: PMC10328398 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf8412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
State-of-the-art ion-selective membranes with ultrahigh precision are of significance for water desalination and energy conservation, but their development is limited by the lack of understanding of the mechanisms of ion transport at the subnanometer scale. Herein, we investigate transport of three typical anions (F-, Cl-, and Br-) under confinement using in situ liquid time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry in combination with transition-state theory. The operando analysis reveals that dehydration and related ion-pore interactions govern anion-selective transport. For strongly hydrated ions [(H2O)nF- and (H2O)nCl-], dehydration enhances ion effective charge and thus the electrostatic interactions with membrane, observed as an increase in decomposed energy from electrostatics, leading to more hindered transport. Contrarily, weakly hydrated ions [(H2O)nBr-] have greater permeability as they allow an intact hydration structure during transport due to their smaller size and the most right-skewed hydration distribution. Our work demonstrates that precisely regulating ion dehydration to maximize the difference in ion-pore interactions could enable the development of ideal ion-selective membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghai Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chengzhi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhibin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Peiyao Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Fan Feng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Guangzhi He
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fuyi Wang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jefferson Zhe Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Xiwang Zhang
- UQ Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jiuhui Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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14
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Zhou Z, Yan Y, Li X, Zeng F, Shao S. Effect of urea-based chemical cleaning on TrOCs rejection by nanofiltration membranes. Sep Purif Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2023.123662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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15
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Peng H, Hu Y, Li S, Rao J, Zhao Q. Sulfonium-polyamide membranes for high flux Mg2+/Li+ separation. J Memb Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2023.121515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
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16
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Zhu Y, Gui L, Wang R, Wang Y, Fang W, Elimelech M, Lin S, Jin J. Regulation of molecular transport in polymer membranes with voltage-controlled pore size at the angstrom scale. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2373. [PMID: 37185940 PMCID: PMC10130050 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38114-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymer membranes have been used extensively for Angstrom-scale separation of solutes and molecules. However, the pore size of most polymer membranes has been considered an intrinsic membrane property that cannot be adjusted in operation by applied stimuli. In this work, we show that the pore size of an electrically conductive polyamide membrane can be modulated by an applied voltage in the presence of electrolyte via a mechanism called electrically induced osmotic swelling. Under applied voltage, the highly charged polyamide layer concentrates counter ions in the polymer network via Donnan equilibrium and creates a sizeable osmotic pressure to enlarge the free volume and the effective pore size. The relation between membrane potential and pore size can be quantitatively described using the extended Flory-Rehner theory with Donnan equilibrium. The ability to regulate pore size via applied voltage enables operando modulation of precise molecular separation in-situ. This study demonstrates the amazing capability of electro-regulation of membrane pore size at the Angstrom scale and unveils an important but previously overlooked mechanism of membrane-water-solute interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhang Zhu
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, PR China
| | - Liangliang Gui
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, PR China
| | - Ruoyu Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Yunfeng Wang
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, PR China
| | - Wangxi Fang
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, PR China
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520-8286, USA
| | - Shihong Lin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
| | - Jian Jin
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, PR China.
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, PR China.
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17
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Foo ZH, Rehman D, Bouma AT, Monsalvo S, Lienhard JH. Lithium Concentration from Salt-Lake Brine by Donnan-Enhanced Nanofiltration. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6320-6330. [PMID: 37027336 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Membranes offer a scalable and cost-effective approach to ion separations for lithium recovery. In the case of salt-lake brines, however, the high feed salinity and low pH of the post-treated feed have an uncertain impact on nanofiltration's selectivity. Here, we adopt experimental and computational approaches to analyze the effect of pH and feed salinity and elucidate key selectivity mechanisms. Our data set comprises over 750 original ion rejection measurements, spanning five salinities and two pH levels, collected using brine solutions that model three salt-lake compositions. Our results demonstrate that the Li+/Mg2+ selectivity of polyamide membranes can be enhanced by 13 times with acid-pretreated feed solutions. This selectivity enhancement is attributed to the amplified Donnan potential from the ionization of carboxyl and amino moieties under low solution pH. As feed salinities increase from 10 to 250 g L-1, the Li+/Mg2+ selectivity decreases by ∼43%, a consequence of weakening exclusion mechanisms. Further, our analysis accentuates the importance of measuring separation factors using representative solution compositions to replicate the ion-transport behaviors with salt-lake brine. Consequently, our results reveal that predictions of ion rejection and Li+/Mg2+ separation factors can be improved by up to 80% when feed solutions with the appropriate Cl-/SO42- molar ratios are used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Hao Foo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Center for Computational Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Danyal Rehman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Center for Computational Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Andrew T Bouma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sebastian Monsalvo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - John H Lienhard
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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18
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Aluru NR, Aydin F, Bazant MZ, Blankschtein D, Brozena AH, de Souza JP, Elimelech M, Faucher S, Fourkas JT, Koman VB, Kuehne M, Kulik HJ, Li HK, Li Y, Li Z, Majumdar A, Martis J, Misra RP, Noy A, Pham TA, Qu H, Rayabharam A, Reed MA, Ritt CL, Schwegler E, Siwy Z, Strano MS, Wang Y, Yao YC, Zhan C, Zhang Z. Fluids and Electrolytes under Confinement in Single-Digit Nanopores. Chem Rev 2023; 123:2737-2831. [PMID: 36898130 PMCID: PMC10037271 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Confined fluids and electrolyte solutions in nanopores exhibit rich and surprising physics and chemistry that impact the mass transport and energy efficiency in many important natural systems and industrial applications. Existing theories often fail to predict the exotic effects observed in the narrowest of such pores, called single-digit nanopores (SDNs), which have diameters or conduit widths of less than 10 nm, and have only recently become accessible for experimental measurements. What SDNs reveal has been surprising, including a rapidly increasing number of examples such as extraordinarily fast water transport, distorted fluid-phase boundaries, strong ion-correlation and quantum effects, and dielectric anomalies that are not observed in larger pores. Exploiting these effects presents myriad opportunities in both basic and applied research that stand to impact a host of new technologies at the water-energy nexus, from new membranes for precise separations and water purification to new gas permeable materials for water electrolyzers and energy-storage devices. SDNs also present unique opportunities to achieve ultrasensitive and selective chemical sensing at the single-ion and single-molecule limit. In this review article, we summarize the progress on nanofluidics of SDNs, with a focus on the confinement effects that arise in these extremely narrow nanopores. The recent development of precision model systems, transformative experimental tools, and multiscale theories that have played enabling roles in advancing this frontier are reviewed. We also identify new knowledge gaps in our understanding of nanofluidic transport and provide an outlook for the future challenges and opportunities at this rapidly advancing frontier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayana R Aluru
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, 78712TexasUnited States
| | - Fikret Aydin
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
| | - Martin Z Bazant
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
- Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Daniel Blankschtein
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Alexandra H Brozena
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
| | - J Pedro de Souza
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut06520-8286, United States
| | - Samuel Faucher
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - John T Fourkas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
- Maryland NanoCenter, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
| | - Volodymyr B Koman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Matthias Kuehne
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Heather J Kulik
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Hao-Kun Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California94305, United States
| | - Yuhao Li
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
| | - Zhongwu Li
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
| | - Arun Majumdar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California94305, United States
| | - Joel Martis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California94305, United States
| | - Rahul Prasanna Misra
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Aleksandr Noy
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, California95344, United States
| | - Tuan Anh Pham
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
| | - Haoran Qu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
| | - Archith Rayabharam
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, 78712TexasUnited States
| | - Mark A Reed
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Yale University, 15 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut06520, United States
| | - Cody L Ritt
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut06520-8286, United States
| | - Eric Schwegler
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
| | - Zuzanna Siwy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine92697, United States
| | - Michael S Strano
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - YuHuang Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
- Maryland NanoCenter, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
| | - Yun-Chiao Yao
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, California95344, United States
| | - Cheng Zhan
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
| | - Ze Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California94305, United States
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19
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Nickerson TR, Antonio EN, McNally DP, Toney MF, Ban C, Straub AP. Unlocking the potential of polymeric desalination membranes by understanding molecular-level interactions and transport mechanisms. Chem Sci 2023; 14:751-770. [PMID: 36755730 PMCID: PMC9890600 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc04920a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyamide reverse osmosis (PA-RO) membranes achieve remarkably high water permeability and salt rejection, making them a key technology for addressing water shortages through processes including seawater desalination and wastewater reuse. However, current state-of-the-art membranes suffer from challenges related to inadequate selectivity, fouling, and a poor ability of existing models to predict performance. In this Perspective, we assert that a molecular understanding of the mechanisms that govern selectivity and transport of PA-RO and other polymer membranes is crucial to both guide future membrane development efforts and improve the predictive capability of transport models. We summarize the current understanding of ion, water, and polymer interactions in PA-RO membranes, drawing insights from nanofiltration and ion exchange membranes. Building on this knowledge, we explore how these interactions impact the transport properties of membranes, highlighting assumptions of transport models that warrant further investigation to improve predictive capabilities and elucidate underlying transport mechanisms. We then underscore recent advances in in situ characterization techniques that allow for direct measurements of previously difficult-to-obtain information on hydrated polymer membrane properties, hydrated ion properties, and ion-water-membrane interactions as well as powerful computational and electrochemical methods that facilitate systematic studies of transport phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trisha R. Nickerson
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO 80309USA
| | - Emma N. Antonio
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO 80309USA,Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO 80309USA
| | - Dylan P. McNally
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO 80309USA
| | - Michael F. Toney
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO 80309USA,Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO 80309USA,Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO 80309USA
| | - Chunmei Ban
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder Boulder CO 80309 USA .,Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder Boulder CO 80309 USA
| | - Anthony P. Straub
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado BoulderBoulderCO 80309USA,Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado BoulderBoulderColorado 80309USA
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20
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Lopez KP, Wang R, Hjelvik EA, Lin S, Straub AP. Toward a universal framework for evaluating transport resistances and driving forces in membrane-based desalination processes. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade0413. [PMID: 36598997 PMCID: PMC9812388 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade0413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Desalination technologies using salt-rejecting membranes are a highly efficient tool to provide fresh water and augment existing water supplies. In recent years, numerous studies have worked to advance a variety of membrane processes with different membrane types and driving forces, but direct quantitative comparisons of these different technologies have led to confusing and contradictory conclusions in the literature. In this Review, we critically assess different membrane-based desalination technologies and provide a universal framework for comparing various driving forces and membrane types. To accomplish this, we first quantify the thermodynamic driving forces resulting from pressure, concentration, and temperature gradients. We then examine the resistances experienced by water molecules as they traverse liquid- and air-filled membranes. Last, we quantify water fluxes in each process for differing desalination scenarios. We conclude by synthesizing results from the literature and our quantitative analyses to compare desalination processes, identifying specific scenarios where each process has fundamental advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kian P. Lopez
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0428, USA
| | - Ruoyu Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1831, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Hjelvik
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0428, USA
| | - Shihong Lin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1831, USA
| | - Anthony P. Straub
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0428, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0428, USA
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21
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Asymmetric polyamide nanofilm with coordinated charge and nanopore, tuned by azlactone-based monomer to facilitate ion separation. Sep Purif Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.122361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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22
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Zhao R, Li Y, Mao Y, Li G, Croes T, Zhu J, You X, Volodin A, Zheng J, Van der Bruggen B. Recycling the High-Salinity Textile Wastewater by Quercetin-Based Nanofiltration Membranes with Minimal Water and Energy Consumption. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:17998-18007. [PMID: 36459442 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Effective recovery of dyes and salts from textile wastewater by nanofiltration (NF) remains a serious challenge due to the high consumption of water and energy caused by the limited performance of the available membranes. Herein, a novel strategy is described to prepare loose polyester NF membranes by using renewable quercetin as the aqueous monomer for fractionation of high salinity textile wastewater with minimal water and energy consumption. Compared with NF270, taken as the reference membrane, the QE-0.2/TMC-0.2 membrane significantly improved the efficiency for dye/salt fractionation by 288%. The water consumption was also decreased by 42.9%. The efficiency is attributed to an ultrahigh water permeance of 198 ± 2.1 L-1 m-2 h-1 bar-1 with a high selectivity of 123 (extremely low NaCl rejection of 1.6% and high Congo red rejection of 99.2%). The optimal quercetin-based membrane had an ultrathin separation layer of about 39 ± 1.2 nm with good hydrophilicity and negative charge density. Moreover, this work includes a novel method of comparison with a theoretically ideal membrane, which shows that both the energy and water consumption are near their theoretical minimum. This strategy is expected to save energy and minimize carbon emissions for membrane-based wastewater treatment systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yi Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Yafei Mao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guichuan Li
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim Croes
- Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Junyong Zhu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xinda You
- College of Material Engineering, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Alexander Volodin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200 D, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Junfeng Zheng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Van der Bruggen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
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23
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Ion and Water Transport in Ion-Exchange Membranes for Power Generation Systems: Guidelines for Modeling. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010034. [PMID: 36613476 PMCID: PMC9820504 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial ion-exchange and other charged membranes, such as biomembranes, are self-organizing nanomaterials built from macromolecules. The interactions of fragments of macromolecules results in phase separation and the formation of ion-conducting channels. The properties conditioned by the structure of charged membranes determine their application in separation processes (water treatment, electrolyte concentration, food industry and others), energy (reverse electrodialysis, fuel cells and others), and chlore-alkali production and others. The purpose of this review is to provide guidelines for modeling the transport of ions and water in charged membranes, as well as to describe the latest advances in this field with a focus on power generation systems. We briefly describe the main structural elements of charged membranes which determine their ion and water transport characteristics. The main governing equations and the most commonly used theories and assumptions are presented and analyzed. The known models are classified and then described based on the information about the equations and the assumptions they are based on. Most attention is paid to the models which have the greatest impact and are most frequently used in the literature. Among them, we focus on recent models developed for proton-exchange membranes used in fuel cells and for membranes applied in reverse electrodialysis.
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24
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Wang K, Fu W, Wang XM, Xu C, Gao Y, Liu Y, Zhang X, Huang X. Molecular Design of the Polyamide Layer Structure of Nanofiltration Membranes by Sacrificing Hydrolyzable Groups toward Enhanced Separation Performance. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:17955-17964. [PMID: 36446026 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nanofiltration (NF) is an effective technology for removing trace organic contaminants (TrOCs), while the inherent trade-off effect between water permeance and solute rejections hinders its widespread application in water treatment. Herein, we propose a novel scheme of "monomers with sacrificial groups" to regulate the microstructure of the polyamide active layer via introducing a hydrolyzable ester group onto piperazine to control the diffusion and interfacial polymerization process. The achieved benefits include narrowing the pore size, improving the interpore connectivity, enhancing the microporosity, and reducing the active layer thickness, which collectively realized the simultaneous improvement of water permeance and enhancement of TrOCs rejection performance. The resulting membranes were superior to both the control and commercial membranes, especially in water-TrOCs selectivity. The effects of using the new monomers on the membrane physicochemical properties were systematically studied, and underlying mechanisms for the enhanced separation performance were further revealed by simulating the polymerization process through density functional theory calculation and measuring the trans-interface diffusion rate of monomers. This study demonstrates a novel promising NF membrane synthesis strategy by designing the structure of reaction monomers for achieving excellent rejection of TrOCs with a low energy input in water treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunpeng Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Wenjie Fu
- College of Environment and Resources, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin541004, China
| | - Xiao-Mao Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Chenyang Xu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Yawei Gao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Yanling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai200092, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Zhang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
| | - Xia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
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25
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Poly(piperazine-amide) nanofiltration membrane with innate positive charge for enhanced bivalent cation rejection and mono/bivalent cation selectivity. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.121060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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26
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Tuning charge density in tethered electrolyte active-layer membranes for enhanced ion-ion selectivity. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.121214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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27
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Gao Y, Zhao Y, Wang XM, Tang C, Huang X. Modulating the Asymmetry of the Active Layer in Pursuit of Nanofiltration Selectivity via Differentiating Interfacial Reactions of Piperazine. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:14038-14047. [PMID: 36150164 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nanofiltration (NF), highly prospective for drinking water treatment, faces a challenge in simultaneously removing emerging contaminants while maintaining mineral salts, particularly divalent cations. To overcome this challenge, NF membranes possessing small pores concomitant with highly negatively charged surfaces were synthesized via a two-step fabrication strategy. The key is to generate a polyamide active layer having a loose and carboxyl group-abundant segment on top and a dense barrier segment underneath. This was achieved by restrained interfacial polymerization between trimesoyl chloride and partly protonated piperazine to form a highly depth-heterogeneous polyamide network, followed by second amidation in an organic environment to remove untethered polyamide fragments and associate malonyl chlorides with reserved amine groups to introduce more negative charges. Most importantly, on first-principle engineering the spatial architecture of the polyamide layer, amplifying asymmetric charge distribution was paired with the thinning of the vertical structure. The optimized membrane exhibits high salt/organic rejection selectivity and water permeance superior to most NF membranes reported previously. The rejections of eight emerging contaminants were in the range of 66.0-94.4%, much higher than the MgCl2 rejection of 41.1%. This new fabrication strategy, suitable for various diacyl chlorides, along with the new membranes so produced, offers a novel option for NF in potable water systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Gao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yangying Zhao
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xiao-Mao Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chuyang Tang
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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28
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Yuan B, Zhao S, Xu S, Wang N, Hu P, Chen K, Jiang J, Cui J, Zhang X, You M, Niu QJ. Aliphatic polyamide nanofilm with ordered nanostripe, synergistic pore size and charge density for the enhancement of cation sieving. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.120839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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29
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Ritt CL, de Souza JP, Barsukov MG, Yosinski S, Bazant MZ, Reed MA, Elimelech M. Thermodynamics of Charge Regulation during Ion Transport through Silica Nanochannels. ACS NANO 2022; 16:15249-15260. [PMID: 36075111 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Ion-surface interactions can alter the properties of nanopores and dictate nanofluidic transport in engineered and biological systems central to the water-energy nexus. The ion adsorption process, known as "charge regulation", is ion-specific and is dependent on the extent of confinement when the electric double layers (EDLs) between two charged surfaces overlap. A fundamental understanding of the mechanisms behind charge regulation remains lacking. Herein, we study the thermodynamics of charge regulation reactions in 20 nm SiO2 channels via conductance measurements at various concentrations and temperatures. The effective activation energies (Ea) for ion conductance at low concentrations (strong EDL overlap) are ∼2-fold higher than at high concentrations (no EDL overlap) for the electrolytes studied here: LiCl, NaCl, KCl, and CsCl. We find that Ea values measured at high concentrations result from the temperature dependence of viscosity and its influence on ion mobility, whereas Ea values measured at low concentrations result from the combined effects of ion mobility and the enthalpy of cation adsorption to the charged surface. Notably, the Ea for surface reactions increases from 7.03 kJ mol-1 for NaCl to 16.72 ± 0.48 kJ mol-1 for KCl, corresponding to a difference in surface charge of -8.2 to -0.8 mC m-2, respectively. We construct a charge regulation model to rationalize the cation-specific charge regulation behavior based on an adsorption equilibrium. Our findings show that temperature- and concentration-dependent conductance measurements can help indirectly probe the ion-surface interactions that govern transport and colloidal interactions at the nanoscale─representing a critical step forward in our understanding of charge regulation and adsorption phenomena under nanoconfinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody L Ritt
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
| | - J Pedro de Souza
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Michelle G Barsukov
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
| | - Shari Yosinski
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Martin Z Bazant
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Mark A Reed
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
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30
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Selectivity of artificial water channel-polyamide composite membranes towards inorganic contaminants. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.121019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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31
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Fu ZJ, Jiang SK, Chao XY, Zhang CX, Shi Q, Wang ZY, Liu ML, Sun SP. Removing miscellaneous heavy metals by all-in-one ion exchange-nanofiltration membrane. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 222:118888. [PMID: 35907304 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The composition of wastewater containing heavy metal mixtures is often complex and poses a serious threat to human and environmental health. Effective removal of a variety of heavy metal ions with a single technology is challenging, and the conventional split integrated technologies require multi-step processing and a massive footprint. For the first time, we achieve hierarchically integrating ion exchange and nanofiltration into all-in-one "iNF" membranes. The iNF membrane has a hierarchical structure with an interfacial polymerization layer and an ion exchange layer, which can achieve highly efficient indiscriminate heavy metal ion removal, overcoming the defect that traditional nanofiltration membranes can only remove single metal cations or oxyanions. The ion exchange layer can remove heavy metal ions through sulfonic acid groups and quaternary amine groups. In addition, the ion exchange layer can be regenerated by electro-deionization, which is meaningful for sustainable membrane usage. This facile, scalable, and compact integrated process shows outstanding potential and universal applicability in complex wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Jun Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Shang-Kun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Xin-Yi Chao
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Chun-Xu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Qixun Shi
- Institute of Advanced Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Zhen-Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Mei-Ling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Shi-Peng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China.
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32
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Gao Y, Wang K, Wang XM, Huang X. Exploitation of Amine Groups Cooped up in Polyamide Nanofiltration Membranes to Achieve High Rejection of Micropollutants and High Permeance of Divalent Cations. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:10954-10962. [PMID: 35819002 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
To enhance the use of nanofiltration in the production of quality drinking water, particularly through the efficient removal of micropollutants yet still preserving essential minerals, the targeted nanofiltration membranes (NFMs) are required to have small pore dimensions coupled with a high, net-negative charge density. Herein, after the formation of a separation layer using piperazine interfacially polymerized with trimesoyl chloride, the exploitation of residual amine groups was systematically investigated by different diacyl chlorides in an organic milieu, which caused the upper part of the final separation layer to be denser and highly negatively charged. Hence, this protocol offers a novel means to fabricate NFMs simultaneously endowed with a low molecular cutoff (MWCO) of 145-238 Da and a reduced rejection of MgCl2 (48%-80%) as well as a competitive water permeance. Those features are ideally applicable to the goal of removing small micropollutants while preserving mineral ions, as needed for the energy-efficient production of safe, quality drinking water. Furthermore, an attempt was made to correlate MWCO with MgCl2 rejection, which provides some insights on the nexus of the electrostatic effects constrained by size exclusion. The significance of residual amine groups and the modification environment was unveiled, and this method paves a new avenue for designing functional NFMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Gao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Kunpeng Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiao-Mao Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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33
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Zhang Z, Liu C, Zhang H, Xu Z, Ju F, Yu C, Xu Y. Ultrafast Interfacial Self-Assembly toward Supramolecular Metal-Organic Films for Water Desalination. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2201624. [PMID: 35780496 PMCID: PMC9403643 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Supramolecular metal-organic materials are considered as the ideal candidates for membrane fabrication due to their excellent film forming characteristics, diverse metal centers and ligand sources, and designable structure and function. However, it remains challenging to rapidly construct highly permeable supramolecular metal-organic membranes with high salt rejection. Herein, a novel ultrafast interfacial self-assembly strategy to prepare supramolecular metal-organic films through the strong coordination interaction between highly active 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol (TFP) ligands and Fe3+ , Sc3+ , or Cu2+ at the organic-aqueous interface is reported. Benefiting from the self-completing and self-limiting characteristics of this interfacial self-assembly, the new kind of supramolecular membrane with optimized composition can be assembled within 3.5 min and exhibits ultrathin, dense, defect-free features, and thus shows an excellent water permeance (21.5 L m-2 h-1 bar-1 ) with a high Na2 SO4 rejection above 95%, which outperforms almost all of the non-polyamide membranes and commercially available nanofiltration membranes. This strong-coordination interfacial self-assembly method will open up a new way for the development of functional metal-organic supramolecular films for high-performance membrane separation and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Zhang
- School of EngineeringWestlake University, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study18 Shilongshan RoadHangzhouZhejiang Province310024China
| | - Chang Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and FunctionalizationKey Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang ProvinceDepartment of Polymer Science and EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310027China
| | - Huilin Zhang
- School of EngineeringWestlake University, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study18 Shilongshan RoadHangzhouZhejiang Province310024China
| | - Zhi‐Kang Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and FunctionalizationKey Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang ProvinceDepartment of Polymer Science and EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310027China
| | - Feng Ju
- School of EngineeringWestlake University, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study18 Shilongshan RoadHangzhouZhejiang Province310024China
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province, School of EngineeringWestlake University18 Shilongshan RoadHangzhouZhejiang Province310024China
| | - Chengbing Yu
- School of Materials Science and EngineeringShanghai UniversityShanghai201800China
| | - Yuxi Xu
- School of EngineeringWestlake University, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study18 Shilongshan RoadHangzhouZhejiang Province310024China
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34
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The influence of feedwater pH on membrane charge ionization and ion rejection by reverse osmosis: An experimental and theoretical study. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.120800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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35
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Shefer I, Lopez K, Straub AP, Epsztein R. Applying Transition-State Theory to Explore Transport and Selectivity in Salt-Rejecting Membranes: A Critical Review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:7467-7483. [PMID: 35549171 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Membrane technologies using reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) have been widely implemented in water purification and desalination processes. Separation between species at the molecular level is achievable in RO and NF membranes due to a complex and poorly understood combination of transport mechanisms that have attracted the attention of researchers within and beyond the membrane community for many years. Minimizing existing knowledge gaps in transport through these membranes can improve the sustainability of current water-treatment processes and expand the use of RO and NF membranes to other applications that require high selectivity between species. Since its establishment in 1949, and with growing popularity in recent years, Eyring's transition-state theory (TST) for transmembrane permeation has been applied in numerous studies to mechanistically explore molecular transport in membranes including RO and NF. In this review, we critically assess TST applied to transmembrane permeation in salt-rejecting membranes, focusing on mechanistic insights into transport under confinement that can be gained from this framework and the key limitations associated with the method. We first demonstrate and discuss the limited ability of the commonly used solution-diffusion model to mechanistically explain transport and selectivity trends observed in RO and NF membranes. Next, we review important milestones in the development of TST, introduce its underlying principles and equations, and establish the connection to transmembrane permeation with a focus on molecular-level enthalpic and entropic barriers that govern water and solute transport under confinement. We then critically review the application of TST to explore transport in RO and NF membranes, analyzing trends in measured enthalpic and entropic barriers and synthesizing new data to highlight important phenomena associated with the temperature-dependent measurement of the activation parameters. We also discuss major limitations of the experimental application of TST and propose specific solutions to minimize the uncertainties surrounding the current approach. We conclude with identifying future research needs to enhance the implementation and maximize the benefit of TST application to transmembrane permeation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idit Shefer
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Kian Lopez
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0428, United States
| | - Anthony P Straub
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0428, United States
| | - Razi Epsztein
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
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36
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Cheng W, Xu H, Wang P, Wang L, Szymczyk A, Croué JP, Zhang T. Modification Mechanism of Polyamide Reverse Osmosis Membrane by Persulfate: Roles of Hydroxyl and Sulfate Radicals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:8864-8874. [PMID: 35622994 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative modification is a facile method to improve the desalination performance of thin-film composite membranes. In this study, we comparatively investigated the modification mechanisms induced by sulfate radical (SO4• -) and hydroxyl radical (HO•) for polyamide reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. The SO4• -- and HO•-based membrane modifications were manipulated by simply adjusting the pH of the thermal-activated persulfate solution. Although both of them improved the water permeability of the RO membrane under certain conditions, the SO4• --modified membrane notably prevailed over the HO•-modified one due to higher permeability, more consistent salt rejection rates over wide pH and salinity ranges, and better stability when exposed to high doses of chlorine. The differences of the membranes modified by the two radical species probably can be related to their distinct surface properties in terms of morphology, hydrophilicity, surface charge, and chemical composition. Further identification of the transformation products of a model polyamide monomer using high-resolution mass spectrometry demonstrated that SO4• - initiated polymerization reactions and produced hydroquinone/benzoquinone and polyaromatic structures; whereas the amide group of the monomer was degraded by HO•, generating hydroxyl, carboxyl, and nitro groups. The results will enlighten effective ways for practical modification of polyamide RO membranes to improve desalination performances and the development of sustainable oxidation-combined membrane processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cheng
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Haodan Xu
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Peizhi Wang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Water Resource Application and Environmental Pollution Control, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lihong Wang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Anthony Szymczyk
- Université de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR - UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Croué
- Institut de Chimie des Milieux et des Matériaux IC2MP UMR 7285 CNRS, Université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France
| | - Tao Zhang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
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37
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Léniz-Pizarro F, Vogler RJ, Sandman P, Harris N, Ormsbee LE, Liu C, Bhattacharyya D. Dual-Functional Nanofiltration and Adsorptive Membranes for PFAS and Organics Separation from Water. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:863-872. [PMID: 35822195 PMCID: PMC9273029 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Challenges associated with water separation technologies for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) require efficient and sustainable processes supported by a proper understanding of the separation mechanisms. The solute rejections by nanofiltration (NF) at pH values near the membrane isoelectric point were compared to the size- and mass-transfer-dependent modeled rejection rates of these compounds in an ionized state. We find that the low pK a value of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) relates to enhanced solute exclusions by minimizing the presence and partitioning of the protonated organic compound into the membrane domain. The effects of Donnan exclusion are moderate, and co-ion transport also contributes to the PFAS rejection rates. An additional support barrier with thermo-responsive (quantified by water permeance variation) adsorption/desorption properties allows for enhanced separations of PFAS. This was possible by successfully synthesizing an NF layer on top of a poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAm) pore-functionalized microfiltration support structure. The support layer adsorbs organics (178 mg PFOA adsorbed/m2 membrane at an equilibrium concentration of 70 mg/L), and the simultaneous exclusion from the NF layer allows separations of PFOA and the smaller sized heptafluorobutyric acid from solutions containing 70 μg/L of these compounds at a high water flux of 100 L/m2-h at 7 bar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Léniz-Pizarro
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Ronald J Vogler
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Phillip Sandman
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Natalie Harris
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Lindell E Ormsbee
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Chunqing Liu
- Membranes R&D Group, Honeywell UOP, Des Plaines, Illinois 60016, United States
| | - Dibakar Bhattacharyya
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
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Stolov M, Keisar O, Cohen Y, Freger V. Elucidating the Effect of Aliphatic Molecular Plugs on Ion-Rejecting Properties of Polyamide Membranes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:13335-13343. [PMID: 35263078 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c24977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Polyamide RO membranes are widely used for seawater desalination owing to their high salt rejection and water permeability; however, improved selectivity-permeability trade-off is still desired. "Molecular plugs," small molecules immobilized within the polyamide structure, offer an attractive approach; however, their overall effect on polyamide physicochemical properties poses many questions. Here, we analyze the effect of decylamine, a promising plug, and a few charged and uncharged mimics on polyamide films using several in situ techniques. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) reveals a complex pH-dependent response, whereby, upon exposure to amine solution, conductivity first rapidly drops; however, under alkaline conditions, when amine is uncharged, the trend subsequently slowly reverses, and conductivity increases. This slow reversal was observed for noncharged alcohols of similar size as well, but not for larger surfactant molecules. The reversal was assigned to the uptake of plug molecules within polyamide, as opposed to the fast initial drop assigned to surface adsorption. EIS and quartz-crystal microbalance (QCM) results showed that exposure to decylamine under alkaline conditions ultimately led to an irreversible decrease in conductivity, that is, stronger ion rejection, remaining after re-exposure of polyamide to amine-free buffer. This suggests that plug uptake within polyamide resulted in polymer stress, indeed observed in surface stress measurements, and subsequent relaxation. The results indicate that the moderate size of decylamine and conditions minimizing its charge were optimal for irreversible change; however, charge interactions helped maximize its binding within polymer and induce the desired sustained change in selectivity. The results have many potential implications for improving current membrane desalination technology and increasing inherent membrane selectivity toward hard-to-remove species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Stolov
- Wolfson Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion - IIT, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Or Keisar
- Nancy and Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion - IIT, Haifa 32000, Israel
- Nuclear Research Centre-Negev, P.O.B. 9001, Be'er Sheva 84190, Israel
| | - Yair Cohen
- Nuclear Research Centre-Negev, P.O.B. 9001, Be'er Sheva 84190, Israel
| | - Viatcheslav Freger
- Wolfson Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion - IIT, Haifa 32000, Israel
- Nancy and Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion - IIT, Haifa 32000, Israel
- Grand Water Research Institute, Technion - IIT, Haifa 32000, Israel
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Heiranian M, DuChanois RM, Ritt CL, Violet C, Elimelech M. Molecular Simulations to Elucidate Transport Phenomena in Polymeric Membranes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:3313-3323. [PMID: 35235312 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of dominance in separation technology, progress in the design and development of high-performance polymer-based membranes has been incremental. Recent advances in materials science and chemical synthesis provide opportunities for molecular-level design of next-generation membrane materials. Such designs necessitate a fundamental understanding of transport and separation mechanisms at the molecular scale. Molecular simulations are important tools that could lead to the development of fundamental structure-property-performance relationships for advancing membrane design. In this Perspective, we assess the application and capability of molecular simulations to understand the mechanisms of ion and water transport across polymeric membranes. Additionally, we discuss the reliability of molecular models in mimicking the structure and chemistry of nanochannels and transport pathways in polymeric membranes. We conclude by providing research directions for resolving key knowledge gaps related to transport phenomena in polymeric membranes and for the construction of structure-property-performance relationships for the design of next-generation membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Heiranian
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
| | - Ryan M DuChanois
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
| | - Cody L Ritt
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
| | - Camille Violet
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
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Wen Y, Dai R, Li X, Zhang X, Cao X, Wu Z, Lin S, Tang CY, Wang Z. Metal-organic framework enables ultraselective polyamide membrane for desalination and water reuse. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm4149. [PMID: 35263126 PMCID: PMC8906575 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm4149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
While reverse osmosis (RO) is the leading technology to address the global challenge of water scarcity through desalination and potable reuse of wastewater, current RO membranes fall short in rejecting certain harmful constituents from seawater (e.g., boron) and wastewater [e.g., N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)]. In this study, we develop an ultraselective polyamide (PA) membrane by enhancing interfacial polymerization with amphiphilic metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoflakes. These MOF nanoflakes horizontally align at the water/hexane interface to accelerate the transport of diamine monomers across the interface and retain gas bubbles and heat of the reaction in the interfacial reaction zone. These mechanisms synergistically lead to the formation of a crumpled and ultrathin PA nanofilm with an intrinsic thickness of ~5 nm and a high cross-linking degree of ~98%. The resulting PA membrane delivers exceptional desalination performance that is beyond the existing upper bound of permselectivity and exhibited very high rejection (>90%) of boron and NDMA unmatched by state-of-the-art RO membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ruobin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xuesong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xingran Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xingzhong Cao
- Institute of High Energy Physics, CAS, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhichao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shihong Lin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1831, USA
- Corresponding author. (S.L.); (C.Y.T.); (Z.Wa.)
| | - Chuyang Y. Tang
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
- Corresponding author. (S.L.); (C.Y.T.); (Z.Wa.)
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
- Corresponding author. (S.L.); (C.Y.T.); (Z.Wa.)
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41
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DuChanois RM, Heiranian M, Yang J, Porter CJ, Li Q, Zhang X, Verduzco R, Elimelech M. Designing polymeric membranes with coordination chemistry for high-precision ion separations. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm9436. [PMID: 35245114 PMCID: PMC8896795 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm9436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
State-of-the-art polymeric membranes are unable to perform the high-precision ion separations needed for technologies essential to a circular economy and clean energy future. Coordinative interactions are a mechanism to increase sorption of a target species into a membrane, but the effects of these interactions on membrane permeability and selectivity are poorly understood. We use a multilayered polymer membrane to assess how ion-membrane binding energies affect membrane permeability of similarly sized cations: Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Co2+, and Mg2+. We report that metals with higher binding energy to iminodiacetate groups of the polymer more selectively permeate through the membrane in multisalt solutions than single-salt solutions. In contrast, weaker binding species are precluded from diffusing into the polymer membrane, which leads to passage proportional to binding energy and independent of membrane thickness. Our findings demonstrate that selectivity of polymeric membranes can markedly increase by tailoring ion-membrane binding energy and minimizing membrane thickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M. DuChanois
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8286, USA
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), 6100 Main Street, MS 6398, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Mohammad Heiranian
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8286, USA
| | - Jason Yang
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8286, USA
| | - Cassandra J. Porter
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8286, USA
| | - Qilin Li
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), 6100 Main Street, MS 6398, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Nano Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of New Membrane Materials, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology; School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Rafael Verduzco
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), 6100 Main Street, MS 6398, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8286, USA
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), 6100 Main Street, MS 6398, Houston, TX 77005, USA
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42
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Zhang W, Li N, Zhang X. Surface-engineered sulfonation of ion-selective nanofiltration membrane with robust scaling resistance for seawater desalination. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2021.120191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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43
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Ritt CL, Liu M, Pham TA, Epsztein R, Kulik HJ, Elimelech M. Machine learning reveals key ion selectivity mechanisms in polymeric membranes with subnanometer pores. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabl5771. [PMID: 35030018 PMCID: PMC8759746 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl5771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Designing single-species selective membranes for high-precision separations requires a fundamental understanding of the molecular interactions governing solute transport. Here, we comprehensively assess molecular-level features that influence the separation of 18 different anions by nanoporous cellulose acetate membranes. Our analysis identifies the limitations of bulk solvation characteristics to explain ion transport, highlighted by the poor correlation between hydration energy and the measured permselectivity (R2 = 0.37). Entropy-enthalpy compensation, spanning 40 kilojoules per mole, leads to a free-energy barrier (∆G‡) variation of only ~8 kilojoules per mole across all anions. We apply machine learning to elucidate descriptors for energetic barriers from a set of 126 collected features. Notably, electrostatic features account for 75% of the overall features used to describe ∆G‡, despite the relatively uncharged state of cellulose acetate. Our work presents an approach for studying ion transport across nanoporous membranes that could enable the design of ion-selective membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody L. Ritt
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8286, USA
| | - Mingjie Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tuan Anh Pham
- Quantum Simulations Group, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Razi Epsztein
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Heather J. Kulik
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Corresponding author. (M.E.); (H.J.K.)
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8286, USA
- Corresponding author. (M.E.); (H.J.K.)
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44
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Kitto D, Kamcev J. Manning condensation in ion exchange membranes: A review on ion partitioning and diffusion models. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20210810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Kitto
- Department of Chemical Engineering University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex B28 Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Jovan Kamcev
- Department of Chemical Engineering University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex B28 Ann Arbor Michigan USA
- Macromolecular Science and Engineering University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex B28 Ann Arbor Michigan USA
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45
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The open membrane database: Synthesis–structure–performance relationships of reverse osmosis membranes. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2021.119927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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46
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Wang L, Cao T, Dykstra JE, Porada S, Biesheuvel PM, Elimelech M. Salt and Water Transport in Reverse Osmosis Membranes: Beyond the Solution-Diffusion Model. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:16665-16675. [PMID: 34879196 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c05649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the salt-water separation mechanisms of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes is critical for the further development and optimization of RO technology. The solution-diffusion (SD) model is widely used to describe water and salt transport in RO, but it does not describe the intricate transport mechanisms of water molecules and ions through the membrane. In this study, we develop an ion transport model for RO, referred to as the solution-friction model, by rigorously considering the mechanisms of partitioning and the interactions among water, salt ions, and the membrane. Ion transport through the membrane is described by the extended Nernst-Planck equation, with the consideration of frictions between the species (i.e., ion, water, and membrane matrix). Water flow through the membrane is governed by the hydraulic pressure gradient and the friction between the water and membrane matrix as well as the friction between water and ions. The model is validated using experimental measurements of salt rejection and permeate water flux in a lab-scale, cross-flow RO setup. We then investigate the effects of feed salt concentration and hydraulic pressure on salt permeability, demonstrating strong dependence of salt permeability on feed salt concentration and applied pressure, starkly disparate from the SD model. Lastly, we develop a framework to analyze the pressure drop distribution across the membrane, demonstrating that cross-membrane transport dominates the overall pressure drop in RO, in marked contrast to the SD model that assumes no pressure drop across the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
| | - Tianchi Cao
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
| | - Jouke E Dykstra
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Slawomir Porada
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - P M Biesheuvel
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
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47
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Wang K, Wang X, Januszewski B, Liu Y, Li D, Fu R, Elimelech M, Huang X. Tailored design of nanofiltration membranes for water treatment based on synthesis-property-performance relationships. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 51:672-719. [PMID: 34932047 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01599g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Tailored design of high-performance nanofiltration (NF) membranes is desirable because the requirements for membrane performance, particularly ion/salt rejection and selectivity, differ among the various applications of NF technology ranging from drinking water production to resource mining. However, this customization greatly relies on a comprehensive understanding of the influence of membrane fabrication methods and conditions on membrane properties and the relationships between the membrane structural and physicochemical properties and membrane performance. Since the inception of NF, much progress has been made in forming the foundation of tailored design of NF membranes and the underlying governing principles. This progress includes theories regarding NF mass transfer and solute rejection, further exploitation of the classical interfacial polymerization technique, and development of novel materials and membrane fabrication methods. In this critical review, we first summarize the progress made in controllable design of NF membrane properties in recent years from the perspective of optimizing interfacial polymerization techniques and adopting new manufacturing processes and materials. We then discuss the property-performance relationships based on solvent/solute mass transfer theories and mathematical models, and draw conclusions on membrane structural and physicochemical parameter regulation by modifying the fabrication process to improve membrane separation performance. Next, existing and potential applications of these NF membranes in water treatment processes are systematically discussed according to the different separation requirements. Finally, we point out the prospects and challenges of tailored design of NF membranes for water treatment applications. This review bridges the long-existing gaps between the pressing demand for suitable NF membranes from the industrial community and the surge of publications by the scientific community in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunpeng Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment and International Joint Laboratory on Low Carbon Clean Energy Innovation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaomao Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment and International Joint Laboratory on Low Carbon Clean Energy Innovation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Brielle Januszewski
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8286, USA
| | - Yanling Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment and International Joint Laboratory on Low Carbon Clean Energy Innovation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China. .,State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Danyang Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment and International Joint Laboratory on Low Carbon Clean Energy Innovation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Ruoyu Fu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment and International Joint Laboratory on Low Carbon Clean Energy Innovation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8286, USA
| | - Xia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment and International Joint Laboratory on Low Carbon Clean Energy Innovation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China.
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Shefer I, Peer-Haim O, Leifman O, Epsztein R. Enthalpic and Entropic Selectivity of Water and Small Ions in Polyamide Membranes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:14863-14875. [PMID: 34677944 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
While polyamide reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes have been extensively utilized in water purification and desalination processes, the molecular details governing water and solute permeation in these membranes are not fully understood. In this study, we apply transition-state theory for transmembrane permeation to systematically break down the intrinsic permeabilities of water and small ions in loose and tight polyamide nanofiltration membranes into enthalpic and entropic components using an Eyring-type equation. We analyze trends in these components to elucidate molecular phenomena that induce water-salt, monovalent-divalent, and monovalent-monovalent selectivity at different pH values. Our results suggest that in pores that are either too small or contain an electrostatically repelling mouth, the thermal activation of ions in the form of ion dehydration is less likely, promoting entropically driven selectivity with steric exclusion of hydrated ions. Instead, larger uncharged pores enable ion dehydration, inducing enthalpic selectivity that is driven by differences in the ion hydration properties. We also demonstrate that electrostatic interactions between cations and intrapore carboxyl groups hinder salt permeability, increasing the enthalpic barrier of the transport. Last, permeation tests of monovalent cations in the loose and tight polyamide membranes expose opposite rejection trends that further support the phenomenon of ion dehydration in large subnanopores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idit Shefer
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Ophir Peer-Haim
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Olga Leifman
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Razi Epsztein
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
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50
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Tiruneh Adugna A. Development in nanomembrane-based filtration of emerging contaminants. PHYSICAL SCIENCES REVIEWS 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/psr-2021-0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Recently, the concentration of emerging contaminants is increasing in drinking water sources, industrial wastewater, and reclaimed water. It is not possible to remove the emerging contaminants using conventional methods, and the interest to use nanomembrane-based filtration is getting attention. A nanomembrane-based filtration can be manipulated without the use of any special equipment. Different research findings reported better removal of emerging contaminants has been achieved using nanomembrane-based filtration. Moreover, new developments have been examined and implemented at different levels and are expected to continue. Therefore, this chapter provides a brief overview of recent developments on nanomembrane-based filtration processes in the removal of emerging contaminants from drinking water sources, industrial wastewater, and reclaimed water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amare Tiruneh Adugna
- Department of Environmental Engineering , Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, College of Biological and Chemical Engineering , Addis Ababa , Ethiopia
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