High-Performance Novel Polyoxometalate-LDH Nanocomposite-Modified Thin-Film Nanocomposite Forward Osmosis Membranes: A Study of Desalination and Antifouling Performance

Numerous investigations have focused on creating effective membranes for desalination in order to alleviate the water scarcity crisis. In this study, first, LDH nanoplates were synthesized and utilized to alter the surface of thin-film composite (TFC) membranes in the course of this investigation. Following that, a simple technique was used to produce a novel nanocomposite incorporating LDH layers and Na14(P2W18Co4O70)·28H2O polyoxometalate nanoparticles, resulting in the creation of a fresh variety of thin-film nanocomposite (TFN). The performance of all of the membranes acquired was examined in the process of forward osmosis (FO). The impact of the compounds that were prepared was assessed on the hydrophilicity, topology, chemical structure, and morphology of the active layer of polyamide (PA) through analysis methods such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), FTIR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and water contact angle (WCA) goniometry. After evaluating the outcomes of both modified membrane types, it was observed that the membrane equipped with the nanocomposite modifier at a concentration of 0.01 wt % exhibited the highest water flux, measuring 46.6 LMH and selectivity of 0.23 g/L. This membrane was thus considered the best option. Furthermore, the membrane's ability to prevent fouling was examined, and the findings revealed an enhancement in its resistance to fouling in comparison to the filler-free membrane.

High-Performance Novel MoS2@Zeolite X Nanocomposite-Modified Thin-Film Nanocomposite Forward Osmosis Membranes: A Study of Desalination and Antifouling Performance

Novel thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes modified by the MoS2@Zeolite X nanocomposite were made and studied for desalination by the forward osmosis (FO) method. Herein, MoS2@Zeolite X nanocomposite (MoS2@Z) and zeolite X particles are integrated into the polyamide (PA) selective layer of the TFN membranes, separately. The aim of this study is the synthesis of nanocomposites containing hydrophilic zeolite X particles with a modified surface and pore and improvement of their effective properties on desalination and antifouling performance. For this purpose, MoS2 nanosheets with a high hydrophilicity were selected. The existence of polymer-matrix-compatible MoS2@Z inside the PA active layer caused the formation of a defect-free smooth surface with further channels within this layer that could increase the water flux and fouling resistance of the TFN membranes. The TFN-MZ2 membrane (containing 0.01 wt % MoS2@Z) showed the top desalination performance in the FO process. In contrast to the pristine thin-film composite (TFC) and TFN-Z2 membrane (containing 0.025 wt % zeolite X, the most optimal membrane among the zeolite-modified membranes), its water flux has increased by 2.6 and 1.8 times, respectively. Furthermore, in the fouling test, this optimal TFN-MZ2 membrane with a flux decrement of 19.6% revealed an ∼2.2- and 1.8-fold enhancement in antifouling tendency compared to the TFC and TFN-Z2, respectively. Also, based on the antibiofouling test, the water flux drop of 48.6% for the TFC membrane has reached 36.9% for the optimal membrane. Hence, this high-performance TFN-MZ2 membrane shows good capability for commercial employment in FO desalination application.

Ruthenium on Carbonaceous Materials for the Selective Hydrogenation of HMF

We report the use of Ru catalysts supported in the activated carbon (AC) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) for the selective production of liquid fuel dimethylfuran (DMF) and fuel additives alkoxymethyl furfurals (AMF). Parameters such as the reaction temperature and hydrogen pressure were firstly investigated in order to optimise the synthesis of the desired products. Simply by using a different support, the selectivity of the reaction drastically changed. DMF was produced with AC as support, while a high amount of AMF was produced when CNFs were employed. Moreover, the reusability of the catalysts was tested and deactivation phenomena were identified and properly addressed. Further studies need to be performed in order to optimise the stability of the catalysts.

Polyoxomolybdate-stabilized Cu2O nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst for the azide–alkyne cycloaddition

A Cu₂O@{Mo₃₆} composite has been utilized as a recyclable catalyst for the Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction.

Nanolayered manganese–calcium oxide as an efficient catalyst toward organic sulfide oxidation

We for the first time report that nanolayered Mn–Ca oxide in the presence of H₂O₂ is an efficient catalyst toward sulfide oxidation to sulfoxide.