Membranes

13 pages, 3995 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Production of Stable Electrically Conductive PVDF Membranes Based on Polydopamine-Polyethyleneimine—Assisted Deposition of Carbon Nanotubes

by Abdelrahman M. Awad and Charles-François de Lannoy

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040094 - 20 Apr 2024

Viewed by 261

Abstract

Electrically conductive membranes (ECMs) have emerged as a multifunctional separation technology that integrates membrane filtration with electrochemical reactions. Physical stability remains a critical challenge for ECMs synthesized by coating polymer membranes with conductive materials. In this article, polydopamine (PDA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) were [...] Read more.

Electrically conductive membranes (ECMs) have emerged as a multifunctional separation technology that integrates membrane filtration with electrochemical reactions. Physical stability remains a critical challenge for ECMs synthesized by coating polymer membranes with conductive materials. In this article, polydopamine (PDA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) were used to facilitate the synthesis of significantly more stable ECMs using poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) ultrafiltration membranes and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Four different synthesis methods were compared in terms of the final surface stability and separation properties: (1) CNTs deposited on PEI-crosslinked PDA-coated PVDF membranes, (2) PEI-crosslinked CNTs deposited on PDA-coated PVDF, (3) PDA, PEI and CNTs sequentially deposited layer-by-layer on PVDF, and (4) PEI-crosslinked PDA deposited on CNT-coated PVDF. The results revealed that method 1 generated ECMs with the greatest physical stability, highest electrical conductivity (18,518 S/m), and sufficient permeability (395.2 L/(m²·h·bar). In comparison, method 2 resulted in membranes with the highest permeability (2128.5 L/(m²·h·bar), but with low surface conductivity (502 S/m) and poor physical stability (i.e., 53–75% lower peel-off forces compared to other methods). Overall, methods 1, 3, and 4 can be used to make highly conductive membranes with a 97–99% removal of methyl orange by electrochemical degradation at −3 V. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composite Conducting Membranes: Preparation, Properties, and Applications-Volume 2)

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2 pages, 149 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Revisiting Membranes—An Open Access Membrane Science and Technology Journal

by Spas D. Kolev

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040093 - 19 Apr 2024

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Abstract

Membranes is celebrating its 13th anniversary this year [...] Full article

15 pages, 3753 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Removal of Methylene Blue Dye from Aqueous Solutions Using Polymer Inclusion Membrane Containing Calix[4]pyrrole

by Anna Nowik-Zajac, Iwona Zawierucha, Jakub Lagiewka, Karolina Jaksender, Katarzyna Witt, Grzegorz Malina and Vira Sabadash

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040092 - 17 Apr 2024

Viewed by 368

Abstract

The effective purification of aqueous solutions of methylene blue dye was tested using polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) that contained cellulose triacetate (CTA) as a polymer base, o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (o-NPOE) as a plasticizer, and meso-tetra methyl tetrakis-[methyl-2-(4-acetlphenoxy)] calix[4]pyrrole (KP) as [...] Read more.

The effective purification of aqueous solutions of methylene blue dye was tested using polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) that contained cellulose triacetate (CTA) as a polymer base, o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (o-NPOE) as a plasticizer, and meso-tetra methyl tetrakis-[methyl-2-(4-acetlphenoxy)] calix[4]pyrrole (KP) as a carrier. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy were used to define the microstructure and surface of PIMs. Experimental results showed that, with an increased concentration of methylene blue in an aqueous solution, the removal percentage also increased. Further observation showed that the flux increased with the rise in the source phase pH values from 3 to 10. The carrier and plasticizer content in the membrane significantly influenced the membrane’s transport properties. The optimal composition of the membrane in percent by weight for KP was 74% plasticizer; 18% support, and 8% carrier. The maximum MB removal (93.10%) was achieved at 0.10 M HCl solution as the receiving phase. It was shown that the membrane with optimal composition showed good reusability and enabled the easy and spontaneous separation of methylene blue from aqueous solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Polymeric Membranes: Science, Materials and Applications)

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14 pages, 16026 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Zeolite-Based Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Ultrafiltration Membrane: Characterization and Molecular Weight Cut-Off Estimation with Support Vector Regression Modelling

by Mieow Kee Chan, Syee Jia Tan, Andrew T. H. Yeow, Sok Choo Ng and Woei Jye Lau

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040091 - 16 Apr 2024

Viewed by 314

Abstract

Zeolite serves as a promising additive for enhancing the hydrophilicity of polymeric membranes, yet its utilization for bolstering the mechanical strength of the membrane remains limited. In this study, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes were modified by incorporating various concentrations of zeolite (0.5–2 wt%) [...] Read more.

Zeolite serves as a promising additive for enhancing the hydrophilicity of polymeric membranes, yet its utilization for bolstering the mechanical strength of the membrane remains limited. In this study, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes were modified by incorporating various concentrations of zeolite (0.5–2 wt%) to improve not only their mechanical properties, but also other features for water filtration. Membranes with and without zeolite incorporation were fabricated via a dry–wet phase inversion technique, followed by the application of a series of characterization techniques in order to study their morphological structure, mechanical strength, and hydrophilicity. The membrane filtration performance for each membrane was evaluated based on pure water flux and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) rejection. Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) images revealed a dense, microvoid-free structure across all of the PVDF membranes, contributing to a high pristine PVDF membrane tensile strength of 14 MPa. The addition of 0.5 wt% zeolite significantly improved the tensile strength up to 19.4 MPa. Additionally, the incorporation of 1 wt% zeolite into PVDF membrane yielded improvements in membrane hydrophilicity (contact angle of 67.84°), pure water flux (63.49% increase), and high BSA rejection (95.76%) compared to pristine PVDF membranes. To further improve the characterization of the zeolite-modified PVDF membranes, the Support Vector Regression (SVR) model was adopted to estimate the molecular weight cut off (MWCO) of the membranes. A coefficient of determination (R²) value of 0.855 was obtained, suggesting that the SVR model predicted the MWCO accurately. The findings of this study showed that the utilization of zeolite is promising in enhancing both the mechanical properties and separation performance of PVDF membranes for application in ultrafiltration processes. Full article

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13 pages, 2308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Process Parameters on the Efficiency of Pervaporation Pilot ECO-001 Plant for Raw Ethanol Dehydration

by Anna Kujawska, Wojciech Kujawski, Wiesław Capała, Urszula Kiełkowska, Marek Plesnar and Joanna Kujawa

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040090 - 14 Apr 2024

Viewed by 314

Abstract

Pervaporation is a membrane-based process used for the separation of liquid mixtures. As this membrane process is governed by the differences in the sorption and diffusivities of separated components, close boiling mixtures and azeotropic mixtures can effectively be separated. The dehydration of ethanol [...] Read more.

Pervaporation is a membrane-based process used for the separation of liquid mixtures. As this membrane process is governed by the differences in the sorption and diffusivities of separated components, close boiling mixtures and azeotropic mixtures can effectively be separated. The dehydration of ethanol is the most common application of hydrophilic pervaporation. The pilot scale properties of hydrophilic composite poly(vinyl alcohol) PVA membrane (PERVAP^TM 2200) in contact with wet raw bioethanol are presented. The wet raw bioethanol was composed of ethanol (82.4–89.6 wt%), water (5.9–8.5 wt%), methanol (2.3–6.9 wt%), cyclohexane (0.2–2.4 wt%), higher alcohols (0.2–1.3 wt%), and acetaldehyde (0.004–0.030 wt%). All experiments were performed using a SULZER ECO-001 plant equipped with a 1.5 m² membrane module. The efficiency of the dehydration process (i.e., membrane selectivity, permeate flux, degree of dehydration) was discussed as a function of the following parameters: the feed temperature, the feed composition, and the feed flow rate through the module. It was found that the low feed flow rate influenced the dehydration efficiency as the enthalpy of evaporation caused a high temperature drop in the module (around 25 °C at a feed flow rate equal to 5 kg h⁻¹). The separation coefficient during pervaporation was in the range of 600–1200, depending on the feed composition. The increase in temperature augmented the permeation flux and shortened the time needed to reach the assumed level of dehydration. It was revealed that dehydration by pervaporation using ECO-001 pilot plant is an efficient process, allowing also to investigate the influence of various parameters on the process efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Membrane Processing and Engineering)

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21 pages, 5967 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Studying the Effects of Dissolved Noble Gases and High Hydrostatic Pressure on the Spherical DOPC Bilayer Using Molecular Dynamic Simulations

by Eugeny Pavlyuk, Irena Yungerman, Alice Bliznyuk and Yevgeny Moskovitz

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040089 - 12 Apr 2024

Viewed by 411

Abstract

Fine-grained molecular dynamics simulations have been conducted to depict lipid objects enclosed in water and interacting with a series of noble gases dissolved in the medium. The simple point-charge (SPC) water system, featuring a boundary composed of 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) molecules, maintained stability throughout [...] Read more.

Fine-grained molecular dynamics simulations have been conducted to depict lipid objects enclosed in water and interacting with a series of noble gases dissolved in the medium. The simple point-charge (SPC) water system, featuring a boundary composed of 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) molecules, maintained stability throughout the simulation under standard conditions. This allowed for the accurate modeling of the effects of hydrostatic pressure at an ambient pressure of 25 bar. The chosen pressure references the 240 m depth of seawater: the horizon frequently used by commercial divers, who comprise the primary patient population of the neurological complication of inert gas narcosis and the consequences of high-pressure neurological syndrome. To quantify and validate the neurological effects of noble gases and discriminate them from high hydrostatic pressure, we reduced the dissolved gas molar concentration to 1.5%, three times smaller than what we previously tested for the planar bilayer (3.5%). The nucleation and growth of xenon, argon and neon nanobubbles proved consistent with the data from the planar bilayer simulations. On the other hand, hyperbaric helium induces only a residual distorting effect on the liposome, with no significant condensed gas fraction observed within the hydrophobic core. The bubbles were distributed over a large volume—both in the bulk solvent and in the lipid phase—thereby causing substantial membrane distortion. This finding serves as evidence of the validity of the multisite distortion hypothesis for the neurological effect of inert gases at high pressure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biological Membrane Dynamics and Computation)

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18 pages, 3985 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Fouling Occurring during Coupled Electrodialysis and Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis Treatment for Tofu Whey Protein Recovery

by Rosie Deschênes Gagnon, Marie-Ève Langevin, Florence Lutin and Laurent Bazinet

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040088 - 11 Apr 2024

Viewed by 433

Abstract

Tofu whey, a by-product of tofu production, is rich in nutrients such as proteins, minerals, fats, sugars and polyphenols. In a previous work, protein recovery from tofu whey was studied by using a coupled environmental process of ED + EDBM to valorize this [...] Read more.

Tofu whey, a by-product of tofu production, is rich in nutrients such as proteins, minerals, fats, sugars and polyphenols. In a previous work, protein recovery from tofu whey was studied by using a coupled environmental process of ED + EDBM to valorize this by-product. This process allowed protein recovery by reducing the ionic strength of tofu whey during the ED process and acidifying the proteins to their isoelectric point during EDBM. However, membrane fouling was not investigated. The current study focuses on the fouling of membranes at each step of this ED and EDBM process. Despite a reduction in the membrane conductivities and some changes in the mineral composition of the membranes, no scaling was evident after three runs of the process with the same membranes. However, it appeared that the main fouling was due to the presence of isoflavones, the main polyphenols in tofu whey. Indeed, a higher concentration was observed on the AEMs, giving them a yellow coloration, while small amounts were found in the CEMs, and there were no traces on the BPMs. The glycosylated forms of isoflavones were present in higher concentrations than the aglycone forms, probably due to their high amounts of hydroxyl groups, which can interact with the membrane matrices. In addition, the higher concentration of isoflavones on the AEMs seems to be due to a combination of electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and π–π stacking, whereas only π–π stacking and hydrogen bonds were possible with the CEMs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the potential fouling of BPMs by polyphenols, report the fouling of IEMs by isoflavones and propose potential interactions. Full article

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18 pages, 3769 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmentally Friendly Photothermal Membranes for Halite Recovery from Reverse Osmosis Brine via Solar-Driven Membrane Crystallization

by Marco Aquino, Sergio Santoro, Antonio Politano, Giuseppe D’Andrea, Alessio Siciliano, Salvatore Straface, Mauro Francesco La Russa and Efrem Curcio

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040087 - 10 Apr 2024

Viewed by 452

Abstract

Modern society and industrial development rely heavily on the availability of freshwater and minerals. Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) has been widely adopted for freshwater supply, although many questions have arisen about its environmental sustainability owing to the disposal of hypersaline rejected solutions (brine). [...] Read more.

Modern society and industrial development rely heavily on the availability of freshwater and minerals. Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) has been widely adopted for freshwater supply, although many questions have arisen about its environmental sustainability owing to the disposal of hypersaline rejected solutions (brine). This scenario has accelerated significant developments towards the hybridization of SWRO with membrane distillation–crystallization (MD-MCr), which can extract water and minerals from spent brine. Nevertheless, the substantial specific energy consumption associated with MD-MCr remains a significant limitation. In this work, energy harvesting was secured from renewables by hotspots embodied in the membranes, implementing the revolutionary approach of brine mining via photothermal membrane crystallization (PhMCr). This method employs self-heating nanostructured interfaces under solar radiation to enhance water evaporation, creating a carefully controlled supersaturated environment responsible for the extraction of minerals. Photothermal mixed matrix photothermal membranes (MMMs) were developed by incorporating graphene oxide (GO) or carbon black (CB) into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) solubilized in an eco-friendly solvent (i.e., triethyl phosphate (TEP)). MMMs were prepared using non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS). The effect of GO or GB on the morphology of MMMs and the photothermal behavior was examined. Light-to-heat conversion was used in PhMCr experiments to facilitate the evaporation of water from the SWRO brine to supersaturation, leading to sodium chloride (NaCl) nucleation and crystallization. Overall, the results indicate exciting perspectives of PhMCr in brine valorization for a sustainable desalination industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2D Materials for Membrane Distillation)

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20 pages, 19063 KiB

Open AccessArticle

3D-CFD Modeling of Hollow-Fiber Membrane Contactor for CO₂ Absorption Using MEA Solution

by Alexandru-Constantin Bozonc, Vlad-Cristian Sandu, Calin-Cristian Cormos and Ana-Maria Cormos

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040086 - 09 Apr 2024

Viewed by 418

Abstract

Membrane technology is considered an innovative and promising approach due to its flexibility and low energy consumption. In this work, a comprehensive 3D-CFD model of the Hollow-Fiber Membrane Contactor (HFMC) system for CO₂ capture into aqueous MEA solution, considering a counter-current fluid [...] Read more.

Membrane technology is considered an innovative and promising approach due to its flexibility and low energy consumption. In this work, a comprehensive 3D-CFD model of the Hollow-Fiber Membrane Contactor (HFMC) system for CO₂ capture into aqueous MEA solution, considering a counter-current fluid flow, was developed and validated with experimental data. Two different flow arrangements were considered for the gas mixture and liquid solution inside the HFMC module. The simulation results showed that the CO₂ absorption efficiency was considerably higher when the gas mixture was channeled through the membranes and the liquid phase flowed externally between the membranes, across a wide range of gas and liquid flow rates. Sensitivity studies were performed in order to determine the optimal CO₂ capture process parameters under different operating conditions (flow rates/flow velocities and concentrations) and HFMC geometrical characteristics (e.g., porosity, diameter, and thickness of membranes). It was found that increasing the membrane radius, while maintaining a constant thickness, positively influenced the efficiency of CO₂ absorption due to the higher mass transfer area and residence time. Conversely, higher membrane thickness resulted in higher mass transfer resistance. The optimal membrane thickness was also investigated for various inner fiber diameters, resulting in a thickness of 0.2 mm as optimal for a fiber inner radius of 0.225 mm. Additionally, a significant improvement in CO₂ capture efficiency was observed when increasing membrane porosity to values below 0.2, at which point the increase dampened considerably. The best HFMC configuration involved a combination of low porosity, moderate thickness, and large fiber inner diameter, with gas flow occurring within the fiber membranes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Membrane Materials for CO₂ Capture and Separation)

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24 pages, 2757 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances and Challenges in Anion Exchange Membranes Development/Application for Water Electrolysis: A Review

by Lu Liu, Hongyang Ma, Madani Khan and Benjamin S. Hsiao

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040085 - 05 Apr 2024

Viewed by 742

Abstract

In recent years, anion exchange membranes (AEMs) have aroused widespread interest in hydrogen production via water electrolysis using renewable energy sources. The two current commercial low-temperature water electrolysis technologies used are alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) and proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis. The [...] Read more.

In recent years, anion exchange membranes (AEMs) have aroused widespread interest in hydrogen production via water electrolysis using renewable energy sources. The two current commercial low-temperature water electrolysis technologies used are alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) and proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis. The AWE technology exhibited the advantages of high stability and increased cost-effectiveness with low hydrogen production efficiency. In contrast, PEM water electrolysis exhibited high hydrogen efficiency with low stability and cost-effectiveness, respectively. Unfortunately, the major challenges that AEMs, as well as the corresponding ion transportation membranes, including alkaline hydrogen separator and proton exchange membranes, still face are hydrogen production efficiency, long-term stability, and cost-effectiveness under working conditions, which exhibited critical issues that need to be addressed as a top priority. This review comprehensively presented research progress on AEMs in recent years, providing a thorough understanding of academic studies and industrial applications. It focused on analyzing the chemical structure of polymers and the performance of AEMs and established the relationship between the structure and efficiency of the membranes. This review aimed to identify approaches for improving AEM ion conductivity and alkaline stability. Additionally, future research directions for the commercialization of anion exchange membranes were discussed based on the analysis and assessment of the current applications of AEMs in patents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Membrane Processing and Engineering)

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15 pages, 4807 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Computational Insights into the Interaction of the Conserved Cysteine-Noose Domain of the Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus G Protein with the Canonical Fractalkine Binding site of Transmembrane Receptor CX3CR1 Isoforms

by João Victor Piloto, Raphael Vinicius Rodrigues Dias, Wan Suk Augusto Mazucato, Marcelo Andres Fossey, Fernando Alves de Melo, Fabio Ceneviva Lacerda Almeida, Fatima Pereira de Souza and Icaro Putinhon Caruso

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040084 - 04 Apr 2024

Viewed by 601

Abstract

The human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV) stands as one of the most common causes of acute respiratory diseases. The infectivity of this virus is intricately linked to its membrane proteins, notably the attachment glycoprotein (G protein). The latter plays a key role in [...] Read more.

The human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV) stands as one of the most common causes of acute respiratory diseases. The infectivity of this virus is intricately linked to its membrane proteins, notably the attachment glycoprotein (G protein). The latter plays a key role in facilitating the attachment of hRSV to respiratory tract epithelial cells, thereby initiating the infection process. The present study aimed to characterize the interaction of the conserved cysteine-noose domain of hRSV G protein (cndG) with the transmembrane CX3C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) isoforms using computational tools of molecular modeling, docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and binding free energy calculations. From MD simulations of the molecular system embedded in the POPC lipid bilayer, we showed a stable interaction of cndG with the canonical fractalkine binding site in the N-terminal cavity of the CX3CR1 isoforms and identified that residues in the extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) region and Glu279 of this receptor are pivotal for the stabilization of CX3CR1/cndG binding, corroborating what was reported for the interaction of the chemokine fractalkine with CX3CR1 and its structure homolog US28. Therefore, the results presented here contribute by revealing key structural points for the CX3CR1/G interaction, allowing us to better understand the biology of hRSV from its attachment process and to develop new strategies to combat it. Full article

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17 pages, 2949 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrophilic Modification of Dialysis Membranes Sustains Middle Molecule Removal and Filtration Characteristics

by Adam M. Zawada, Karlee Emal, Eva Förster, Saeedeh Saremi, Dirk Delinski, Lukas Theis, Florian Küng, Wenhao Xie, Joanie Werner, Manuela Stauss-Grabo, Matthias Faust, Skyler Boyington and James P. Kennedy

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040083 - 03 Apr 2024

Viewed by 713

Abstract

While efficient removal of uremic toxins and accumulated water is pivotal for the well-being of dialysis patients, protein adsorption to the dialyzer membrane reduces the performance of a dialyzer. Hydrophilic membrane modification with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) has been shown to reduce protein adsorption and [...] Read more.

While efficient removal of uremic toxins and accumulated water is pivotal for the well-being of dialysis patients, protein adsorption to the dialyzer membrane reduces the performance of a dialyzer. Hydrophilic membrane modification with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) has been shown to reduce protein adsorption and to stabilize membrane permeability. In this study we compared middle molecule clearance and filtration performance of nine polysulfone-, polyethersulfone-, and cellulose-based dialyzers over time. Protein adsorption was simulated in recirculation experiments, while β2-microglobulin clearance as well as transmembrane pressure (TMP) and filtrate flow were determined over time. The results of this study showed that β2-microglobulin clearance (−7.2 mL/min/m²) and filtrate flow (−54.4 mL/min) decreased strongly during the first 30 min and slowly afterwards (−0.7 mL/min/m² and −6.8 mL/min, respectively, for the next 30 min); the TMP increase (+37.2 mmHg and +8.6 mmHg, respectively) showed comparable kinetics. Across all tested dialyzers, the dialyzer with a hydrophilic modified membrane (FX CorAL) had the highest β2-microglobulin clearance after protein fouling and the most stable filtration characteristics. In conclusion, hydrophilic membrane modification with PVP stabilizes the removal capacity of middle molecules and filtration performance over time. Such dialyzers may have benefits during hemodiafiltration treatments which aim to achieve high exchange volumes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Nephrology and Dialysis: From Bench to Bedside)

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19 pages, 2186 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study of a Sequential Membrane Process of Ultrafiltration and Nanofiltration for Efficient Polyphenol Extraction from Wine Lees

by Miguel-Jorge Reig-Valor, Javier Rozas-Martínez, Alexis López-Borrell, Jaime Lora-García and María-Fernanda López-Pérez

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040082 - 30 Mar 2024

Viewed by 525

Abstract

The wine industry is a sector of great importance in the Spanish economy, contributing substantial annual revenues. However, one challenge facing the industry is the amount of waste generated, reaching millions of tons annually. These residues consist of organic matter of industrial interest, [...] Read more.

The wine industry is a sector of great importance in the Spanish economy, contributing substantial annual revenues. However, one challenge facing the industry is the amount of waste generated, reaching millions of tons annually. These residues consist of organic matter of industrial interest, such as polyphenols. These substances are characterised by their excellent antioxidant properties, making them ideal for use in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Modern techniques, such as membrane technology, are explored for their extraction based on separating compounds according to size. This work studies a sequential filtration process using ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes at different operating conditions (2 bar and 9.5 bar for UF and NF, respectively, at 20 °C) to extract polyphenols from wine lees. The results show a total polyphenols rejection rate for each process of 54% for UF and 90% for NF. Pore blocking models have been studied for the UF process and an intermediate pore blocking of the membrane upon wine lees filtration has been identified. A mathematical model that justifies the behavior of a polymeric NF membrane with the filtration of pre-treated vinasse residues has been validated. This study shows a viable process for extracting polyphenols from wine lees with sequential membrane technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection New Challenges in Membranes for Water and Wastewater Application)

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19 pages, 4448 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in Dopamine-Based Membrane Surface Modification and Its Membrane Distillation Applications

by Haodong Jia, Jing Ren, Yue Kong, Zhongjia Ji, Shujuan Guo and Jianfeng Li

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040081 - 28 Mar 2024

Viewed by 669

Abstract

Surface modification of membranes is essential for improving flux and resistance to contamination for membranes. This is of great significance for membrane distillation, which relies on the vapor pressure difference across the membrane as the driving force. In recent years, biomimetic mussel-inspired substances [...] Read more.

Surface modification of membranes is essential for improving flux and resistance to contamination for membranes. This is of great significance for membrane distillation, which relies on the vapor pressure difference across the membrane as the driving force. In recent years, biomimetic mussel-inspired substances have become the research hotspots. Among them, dopamine serves as surface modifiers that would achieve highly desirable and effective membrane applications owing to their unique physicochemical properties, such as universal adhesion, enhanced hydrophilicity, tunable reducibility, and excellent thermal conductivity. The incorporation of a hydrophilic layer, along with the utilization of photothermal properties and post-functionalization capabilities in modified membranes, effectively addresses challenges such as low flux, contamination susceptibility, and temperature polarization during membrane distillation. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is still a lack of comprehensive and in-depth discussions. Therefore, this paper systematically compiles the modification method of dopamine on the membrane surface and summarizes its application and mechanism in membrane distillation for the first time. It is believed that this paper would provide a reference for dopamine-assisted membrane separation during production, and further promote its practical application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Distillation for Water Treatment and Recycling)

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24 pages, 1930 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biogas Upgrading Using a Single-Membrane System: A Review

by Wirginia Tomczak, Marek Gryta, Monika Daniluk and Sławomir Żak

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040080 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 829

Abstract

In recent years, the use of biogas as a natural gas substitute has gained great attention. Typically, in addition to methane (CH₄), biogas contains carbon dioxide (CO₂), as well as small amounts of impurities, e.g., hydrogen sulfide (H₂ [...] Read more.

In recent years, the use of biogas as a natural gas substitute has gained great attention. Typically, in addition to methane (CH₄), biogas contains carbon dioxide (CO₂), as well as small amounts of impurities, e.g., hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), nitrogen (N₂), oxygen (O₂) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). One of the latest trends in biogas purification is the application of membrane processes. However, literature reports are ambiguous regarding the specific requirement for biogas pretreatment prior to its upgrading using membranes. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to comprehensively examine and discuss the most recent achievements in the use of single-membrane separation units for biogas upgrading. Performing a literature review allowed to indicate that, in recent years, considerable progress has been made on the use of polymeric membranes for this purpose. For instance, it has been documented that the application of thin-film composite (TFC) membranes with a swollen polyamide (PA) layer ensures the successful upgrading of raw biogas and eliminates the need for its pretreatment. The importance of the performed literature review is the inference drawn that biogas enrichment performed in a single step allows to obtain upgraded biogas that could be employed for household uses. Nevertheless, this solution may not be sufficient for obtaining high-purity gas at high recovery efficiency. Hence, in order to obtain biogas that could be used for applications designed for natural gas, a membrane cascade may be required. Moreover, it has been documented that a significant number of experimental studies have been focused on the upgrading of synthetic biogas; meanwhile, the data on the raw biogas are very limited. In addition, it has been noted that, although ceramic membranes demonstrate several advantages, experimental studies on their applications in single-membrane systems have been neglected. Summarizing the literature data, it can be concluded that, in order to thoroughly evaluate the presented issue, the long-term experimental studies on the upgrading of raw biogas with the use of polymeric and ceramic membranes in pilot-scale systems are required. The presented literature review has practical implications as it would be beneficial in supporting the development of membrane processes used for biogas upgrading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Gas Separation/Purification Membrane Processes)

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12 pages, 1674 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electroformation of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles from Damp Lipid Films with a Focus on Vesicles with High Cholesterol Content

by Ivan Mardešić, Zvonimir Boban and Marija Raguz

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040079 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 559

Abstract

Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are membrane models used to study membrane properties. Electroformation is one of the methods used to produce GUVs. During electroformation protocol, dry lipid film is formed. The drying of the lipid film induces the cholesterol (Chol) demixing artifact, in [...] Read more.

Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are membrane models used to study membrane properties. Electroformation is one of the methods used to produce GUVs. During electroformation protocol, dry lipid film is formed. The drying of the lipid film induces the cholesterol (Chol) demixing artifact, in which Chol forms anhydrous crystals which do not participate in the formation of vesicles. This leads to a lower Chol concentration in the vesicle bilayers compared to the Chol concentration in the initial lipid solution. To address this problem, we propose a novel electroformation protocol that includes rapid solvent exchange (RSE), plasma cleaning, and spin-coating methods to produce GUVs. We tested the protocol, focusing on vesicles with a high Chol content using different spin-coating durations and vesicle type deposition. Additionally, we compared the novel protocol using completely dry lipid film. The optimal spin-coating duration for vesicles created from the phosphatidylcholine/Chol mixture was 30 s. Multilamellar vesicles (MLVs), large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) obtained by the extrusion of MLVs through 100 nm membrane pores and LUVs obtained by extrusion of previously obtained LUVs through 50 nm membrane pores, were deposited on an electrode for 1.5/1 Chol/phosphatidylcholine (POPC) lipid mixture, and the results were compared. Electroformation using all three deposited vesicle types resulted in a high GUV yield, but the deposition of LUVs obtained by the extrusion of MLVs through 100 nm membrane pores provided the most reproducible results. Using the deposition of these LUVs, we produced high yield GUVs for six different Chol concentrations (from 0% to 71.4%). Using a protocol that included dry lipid film GUVs resulted in lower yields and induced the Chol demixing artifact, proving that the lipid film should never be subjected to drying when the Chol content is high. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Models of Biological Membranes—2nd Edition)

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13 pages, 4373 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Template-Free Synthesis of High Dehydration Performance CHA Zeolite Membranes with Increased Si/Al Ratio Using SSZ-13 Seeds

by Jing Du, Jilei Jiang, Zhigang Xue, Yajing Hu, Bo Liu, Rongfei Zhou and Weihong Xing

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040078 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 560

Abstract

Pervaporation is an energy-efficient alternative to conventional distillation for water/alcohol separations. In this work, a novel CHA zeolite membrane with an increased Si/Al ratio was synthesized in the absence of organic templates for the first time. Nanosized high-silica zeolite (SSZ-13) seeds were used [...] Read more.

Pervaporation is an energy-efficient alternative to conventional distillation for water/alcohol separations. In this work, a novel CHA zeolite membrane with an increased Si/Al ratio was synthesized in the absence of organic templates for the first time. Nanosized high-silica zeolite (SSZ-13) seeds were used for the secondary growth of the membrane. The separation performance of membranes in different alcohol–aqueous mixtures was measured. The effects of water content in the feed and the temperature on the separation performance using pervaporation and vapor permeation were also studied. The best membrane showed a water/ethanol separation factor above 100,000 and a total flux of 1.2 kg/(m² h) at 348 K in a 10 wt.% water–ethanol mixed solution. A membrane with high performance and an increased Si/Al ratio is promising for the application of alcohol dehydration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Dr. Moises Carreon)

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16 pages, 3483 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Conventional and Breakthrough Tool for the Study of L-Glutamate Transporters

by Kanako Takahashi and Kaoru Sato

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040077 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 587

Abstract

In our recent report, we clarified the direct interaction between the excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) 1/2 and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by applying electrophysiological and molecular biological techniques to Xenopus oocytes. Xenopus oocytes have a long history of use in the scientific [...] Read more.

In our recent report, we clarified the direct interaction between the excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) 1/2 and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by applying electrophysiological and molecular biological techniques to Xenopus oocytes. Xenopus oocytes have a long history of use in the scientific field, but they are still attractive experimental systems for neuropharmacological studies. We will therefore summarize the pharmacological significance, advantages (especially in the study of EAAT2), and experimental techniques that can be applied to Xenopus oocytes; our new findings concerning L-glutamate (L-Glu) transporters and PUFAs; and the significant outcomes of our data. The data obtained from electrophysiological and molecular biological studies of Xenopus oocytes have provided us with further important questions, such as whether or not some PUFAs can modulate EAATs as allosteric modulators and to what extent docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) affects neurotransmission and thereby affects brain functions. Xenopus oocytes have great advantages in the studies about the interactions between molecules and functional proteins, especially in the case when the expression levels of the proteins are small in cell culture systems without transfections. These are also proper to study the mechanisms underlying the interactions. Based on the data collected in Xenopus oocyte experiments, we can proceed to the next step, i.e., the physiological roles of the compounds and their significances. In the case of EAAT2, the effects on the neurotransmission should be examined by electrophysiological approach using acute brain slices. For new drug development, pharmacokinetics pharmacodynamics (PKPD) data and blood brain barrier (BBB) penetration data are also necessary. In order not to miss the promising candidate compounds at the primary stages of drug development, we should reconsider using Xenopus oocytes in the early phase of drug development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Xenopus Oocyte: A Tool for Membrane Biology, Second Edition)

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13 pages, 3941 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanism of Silica Nanoparticle-Induced Particulate Fouling in Vacuum Membrane Distillation

by Yejin Lee, Suyoung Jeong, Jae-Hyuk Kim and Sanghyun Jeong

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040076 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 624

Abstract

Membrane distillation (MD) is a process driven by the vapor pressure difference dependent on temperature variation, utilizing a hydrophobic porous membrane. MD operates at low pressure and temperature, exhibiting resilience to osmotic pressure. However, a challenge arises as the membrane performance diminishes due [...] Read more.

Membrane distillation (MD) is a process driven by the vapor pressure difference dependent on temperature variation, utilizing a hydrophobic porous membrane. MD operates at low pressure and temperature, exhibiting resilience to osmotic pressure. However, a challenge arises as the membrane performance diminishes due to temperature polarization (TP) occurring on the membrane surface. The vacuum MD process leverages the application of a vacuum to generate a higher vapor pressure difference, enhancing the flux and mitigating TP issues. Nevertheless, membrane fouling leads to decreased performance, causing membrane wetting and reducing the ion removal efficiency. This study investigates membrane fouling phenomena induced by various silica nanoparticle sizes (400, 900, and 1300 nm). The patterns of membrane fouling, as indicated by the flux reduction, vary depending on the particle size. Distinct MD performances are observed with changes in the feed water temperature and flow rate. When examining the membrane fouling mechanism for particles with a porosity resembling actual particulate materials, a fouling form similar to the solid type is noted. Therefore, this study elucidates the impact of particulate matter on membrane fouling under diverse conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Membrane Applications)

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13 pages, 3651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simultaneous Recording of Remote Domain Dynamics in Membrane Proteins Using the Double-Labeled DXB/DXT Technique

by Kazuhiro Mio, Tatsunari Ohkubo, Daisuke Sasaki, Mayui Sugiura, Kayoko Kawaguchi, Kazutaka Araki, Keizaburo Taninaka, Masaki Sakaguchi, Shunsuke Nozawa, Tatsuya Arai and Yuji C. Sasaki

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040075 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 604

Abstract

Protein dynamics play important roles in biological functions, which accompany allosteric structure changes. Diffracted X-ray blinking (DXB) uses monochromatic X-rays and nanocrystal probes. The intramolecular motion of target proteins is analyzed from the intensity changes in detector signals at the diffraction rings. In [...] Read more.

Protein dynamics play important roles in biological functions, which accompany allosteric structure changes. Diffracted X-ray blinking (DXB) uses monochromatic X-rays and nanocrystal probes. The intramolecular motion of target proteins is analyzed from the intensity changes in detector signals at the diffraction rings. In contrast, diffracted X-ray tracking (DXT) elucidates molecular dynamics by analyzing the trajectories of Laue spots. In this study, we have developed a dual-labeling technique for DXB and DXT, allowing the simultaneous observation of motions at different domains in proteins. We identified zinc oxide (ZnO) crystals as promising candidates for the second labeling probes due to their excellent diffraction patterns, high chemical stability, and favorable binding properties with proteins. The diffraction spots from the ZnO crystals are sufficiently separated from those of gold, enabling independent motion analysis at different domains. Dual-labeling DXB was employed for the motion analysis of the 5-HT_2A receptor in living cells. Simultaneous motion recording of the N-terminus and the second extracellular loop demonstrated ligand-induced motion suppression at both domains. The dual-labeling DXT technique demonstrated a capsaicin-induced peak shift in the two-dimensional motion maps at the N-terminus of the TRPV1 protein, but the peak shift was not obvious in the C-terminus. The capsaicin-induced motion modulation was recovered by the addition of the competitive inhibitor AMG9810. Full article

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13 pages, 2328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transfer of Sodium Ion across Interface between Na⁺-Selective Electrode Membrane and Aqueous Electrolyte Solution: Can We Use Nernst Equation If Current Flows through Electrode?

by Valentina Keresten, Fedor Lazarev and Konstantin Mikhelson

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040074 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 865

Abstract

Electrochemical impedance and chronopotentiometric measurements with Na⁺-selective solvent polymeric (PVC) membranes containing a neutral ionophore and a cation exchanger revealed low-frequency resistance, which is ascribed to Na⁺ ion transfer across the interface between the membrane and aqueous solution. The attribution [...] Read more.

Electrochemical impedance and chronopotentiometric measurements with Na⁺-selective solvent polymeric (PVC) membranes containing a neutral ionophore and a cation exchanger revealed low-frequency resistance, which is ascribed to Na⁺ ion transfer across the interface between the membrane and aqueous solution. The attribution is based on the observed regular dependence of this resistance on the concentration of Na⁺ in solutions. The respective values of the exchange current densities were found to be significantly larger than the currents flowing through ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) during an analysis in non-zero-current mode. This fact suggests that the interfacial electrochemical equilibrium is not violated by the current flow and implies that the Nernst equation can be applied to interpret the data obtained in non-zero-current mode, e.g., constant potential coulometry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Membrane Surface and Interfaces)

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13 pages, 2554 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Separation of Chloride and Sulfate Ions from Desulfurization Wastewater Using Monovalent Anions Selective Electrodialysis

by Xufeng Tian, Dongbei Yue, Tao Hou, Fuyuan Xiao, Zhiping Wang and Weibin Cai

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040073 - 25 Mar 2024

Viewed by 699

Abstract

The high concentration of chloride ions in desulphurization wastewater is the primary limiting factor for its reusability. Monovalent anion selective electrodialysis (S-ED) enables the selective removal of chloride ions, thereby facilitating the reuse of desulfurization wastewater. In this study, different concentrations of NaCl [...] Read more.

The high concentration of chloride ions in desulphurization wastewater is the primary limiting factor for its reusability. Monovalent anion selective electrodialysis (S-ED) enables the selective removal of chloride ions, thereby facilitating the reuse of desulfurization wastewater. In this study, different concentrations of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ were used to simulate different softened desulfurization wastewater. The effects of current density and NaCl and Na₂SO₄ concentration on ion flux, permselectivity (

P_{{SO}_{4}^{2 -}}^{{Cl}^{-}}

) and specific energy consumption were studied. The results show that Selemion ASA membrane exhibits excellent permselectivity for Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻, with a significantly lower flux observed for SO₄²⁻ compared to Cl⁻. Current density exerts a significant influence on ion flux; as the current density increases, the flux of SO₄²⁻ also increases but at a lower rate than that of Cl⁻, resulting in an increase in permselectivity. When the current density reaches 25 mA/cm², the permselectivity reaches a maximum of 50.4. The increase in NaCl concentration leads to a decrease in the SO₄²⁻ flux; however, the permselectivity is reduced due to the elevated Cl⁻/SO₄²⁻ ratio. The SO₄²⁻ flux increases with the increase in Na₂SO₄ concentration, while the permselectivity increases with the decrease in Cl⁻/SO₄²⁻ ratio. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Membrane Applications)

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20 pages, 8100 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental and Numerical Simulation Study of Oxygen Transport in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells at Intermediate Temperatures (80 °C–120 °C)

by Jian Zhang, Yunfei Zhang, Zhengrui Xiao, Jinting Tan, Haining Zhang and Jun Yu

Membranes 2024, 14(4), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14040072 - 22 Mar 2024

Viewed by 759

Abstract

Investigating the oxygen transport law within the Membrane Electrode Assembly at intermediate temperatures (80–120 °C) is crucial for enhancing fuel cell efficiency. This study analyzed the resistance to oxygen transport within the Membrane Electrode Assembly at intermediate temperatures using limiting current density and [...] Read more.

Investigating the oxygen transport law within the Membrane Electrode Assembly at intermediate temperatures (80–120 °C) is crucial for enhancing fuel cell efficiency. This study analyzed the resistance to oxygen transport within the Membrane Electrode Assembly at intermediate temperatures using limiting current density and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The study findings reveal that, as temperature progressively increases, the Ostwald ripening effect leads to a 34% rise in the local oxygen transport resistance (R_local) in relation to the pressure-independent resistance (R_np) within the cathode catalytic layer. Concurrently, the total transport resistance (R_total) decreases from 27.8% to 37.5% due to an increase in the gas diffusion coefficient and molecular reactivity; additionally, there is a decrease in the amount of liquid water inside the membrane electrode. A three-dimensional multiphysics field steady-state model was also established. The model demonstrates that the decrease in oxygen partial pressure can be mitigated effectively by increasing the back pressure at intermediate temperatures to ensure the cell’s performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Water-Thermal Management and Gas Detection Technologies for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell)

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Membranes, Volume 14, Issue 4 (April 2024) – 23 articles

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