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Membranes
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Nanotechnology in Engineered Membranes
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Nanotechnology in Engineered Membranes

A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2020) | Viewed by 21554

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Moon Son

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Korea
Interests: desalination; membranes; membrane process; nanotechnology; renewable energy; water treatment; electrochemical cells; resource recovery; battery deionization
Prof. Dr. Euntae Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju-daero, 501, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
Interests: bioelectrochemical system; forward osmosis; gas separation; electrically conductive membrane; 2D nanomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanotechnology-based engineered membranes (NEMs) are receiving considerable attention from both academia and industry due to their superior separation performance compared to conventional membranes. These NEMs have been generally developed by incorporating nanomaterials that have unique properties or by synthesizing nanostructured membranes. In accordance with the newly developed nanotechnology, NEMs are still being actively developed, and their application in membrane processes is also being investigated. The feasibility of NEMs as an alternative membrane technology to current membrane processes is thought to hinge on its outstanding separation performance. However, the relatively high cost and complicated synthesis process are challenges that remain to be overcome for industrial application. Whether NEMs provide a comparative advantage over other processes, such as electrochemical processes, remains to be determiend.

This Special Issue entitled “Nanotechnology in Engineered Membranes”, of the journal Membranes, seeks contributions to assess the state-of-the-art advances and future developments in the field of engineered membranes. Topics include, but are not limited to: synthesis or manufacturing techniques, transport phenomena, module and reactor design, membrane processes, novel applications, comparison with other separation processes, mathematical modelling, and demonstration efforts at both the laboratory and industrial scales. Authors are invited to submit their latest results; original research papers, reviews, or perspectives are welcome.

Dr. Moon Son
Prof. Dr. Euntae Yang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Membranes
  • Membrane process
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nanomaterials
  • Nanofibers
  • Desalination
  • Renewable energy
  • Salinity gradient energy
  • Water treatment
  • Resource recovery
  • Mathematical modeling
  • Electrochemical cells
  • Electrochemical technology

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 4766 KiB  
Article
Practical Considerations of Wastewater–Seawater Integrated Reverse Osmosis: Design Constraint by Boron Removal
by Chulmin Lee, Yesol Kang, Dong-Ho Kim and In S. Kim
Membranes 2021, 11(4), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11040240 - 28 Mar 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2657
Abstract
The wastewater–seawater (WW-SW) integrated reverse osmosis (RO) process has gained much attention in and out of academia due to its energy saving capability, economic benefits, and sustainability. The other advantage of this process is to reduce boron concentration in the RO permeate that [...] Read more.
The wastewater–seawater (WW-SW) integrated reverse osmosis (RO) process has gained much attention in and out of academia due to its energy saving capability, economic benefits, and sustainability. The other advantage of this process is to reduce boron concentration in the RO permeate that can exclude the post-treatment process. However, there are multiple design constraints regarding boron removal that restrict process design in the WW-SW integrated system. In this study, uncertainties in design factors of the WW-SW integrated system in consideration of boron removal have been explored. In comprehensive consideration of the blending ratio of between WW and SW, regulatory water quality standard, specific energy consumption (SEC), specific water cost, and RO recovery rate, a range of 15,000~20,000 mg/L feed turned out to be the most appropriate. Furthermore, boron rejection tests with SWRO (seawater reverse osmosis) and BWRO (brackish water reverse osmosis) membranes under actual WW-SW integration found a critical reduction in boron rejection at less than 20 bar of operating pressure. These findings emphasize the importance of caution in the use of BWRO membranes in the WW-SW integrated RO system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology in Engineered Membranes)
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9 pages, 5380 KiB  
Communication
Electrically Polarized Graphene-Blended Spacers for Organic Fouling Reduction in Forward Osmosis
by Numan Yanar, Yejin Liang, Eunmok Yang, Hosik Park, Moon Son and Heechul Choi
Membranes 2021, 11(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11010036 - 04 Jan 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1983
Abstract
In membrane processes, a spacer is known to play a key role in the mitigation of membrane fouling. In this study, the effect of electric polarization on a graphene-blended polymer spacer (e.g., poly(lactic acid), PLA) for organic fouling on membrane surfaces was investigated. [...] Read more.
In membrane processes, a spacer is known to play a key role in the mitigation of membrane fouling. In this study, the effect of electric polarization on a graphene-blended polymer spacer (e.g., poly(lactic acid), PLA) for organic fouling on membrane surfaces was investigated. A pristine PLA spacer (P-S), a graphene-blended spacer (G-S), and an electrically polarized graphene-blended spacer (EG-S) were successfully fabricated by 3D printing. Organic fouling tests were conducted by the 5-h filtration of CaCl2 and a sodium alginate solution through commercially available membranes, which were placed together with the fabricated spacers. Membranes utilizing P-S, G-S, and EG-S were characterized in terms of the fouling amount on the membrane surface and fouling roughness. Electrostatic forces of EG-S provided 70% less and 90% smoother fouling on the membrane surface, leading to an only 14% less water flux reduction after 5 h of fouling. The importance of nanomaterial blending and polarization was successfully demonstrated herein. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology in Engineered Membranes)
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16 pages, 2844 KiB  
Article
Performance Evaluation and Fouling Propensity of Forward Osmosis (FO) Membrane for Reuse of Spent Dialysate
by Chaeyeon Kim, Chulmin Lee, Soo Wan Kim, Chang Seong Kim and In S. Kim
Membranes 2020, 10(12), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10120438 - 18 Dec 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4142
Abstract
The number of chronic renal disease patients has shown a significant increase in recent decades over the globe. Hemodialysis is the most commonly used treatment for renal replacement therapy (RRT) and dominates the global dialysis market. As one of the most water-consuming treatments [...] Read more.
The number of chronic renal disease patients has shown a significant increase in recent decades over the globe. Hemodialysis is the most commonly used treatment for renal replacement therapy (RRT) and dominates the global dialysis market. As one of the most water-consuming treatments in medical procedures, hemodialysis has room for improvement in reducing wastewater effluent. In this study, we investigated the technological feasibility of introducing the forward osmosis (FO) process for spent dialysate reuse. A 30 LMH of average water flux has been achieved using a commercial TFC membrane with high water permeability and salt removal. The water flux increased up to 23% with increasing flowrate from 100 mL/min to 500 mL/min. During 1 h spent dialysate treatment, the active layer facing feed solution (AL-FS) mode showed relatively higher flux stability with a 4–6 LMH of water flux reduction while the water flux decreased significantly at the active layer facing draw solution (AL-DS) mode with a 10–12 LMH reduction. In the pressure-assisted forward osmosis (PAFO) condition, high reverse salt flux was observed due to membrane deformation. During the membrane filtration process, scaling occurred due to the influence of polyvalent ions remaining on the membrane surface. Membrane fouling exacerbated the flux and was mainly caused by organic substances such as urea and creatinine. The results of this experiment provide an important basis for future research as a preliminary experiment for the introduction of the FO technique to hemodialysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology in Engineered Membranes)
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Other

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19 pages, 6357 KiB  
Perspective
Recent Progress in One- and Two-Dimensional Nanomaterial-Based Electro-Responsive Membranes: Versatile and Smart Applications from Fouling Mitigation to Tuning Mass Transport
by Abayomi Babatunde Alayande, Kunli Goh, Moon Son, Chang-Min Kim, Kyu-Jung Chae, Yesol Kang, Jaewon Jang, In S. Kim and Euntae Yang
Membranes 2021, 11(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11010005 - 22 Dec 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3341
Abstract
Membrane technologies are playing an ever-important role in the field of water treatment since water reuse and desalination were put in place as alternative water resources to alleviate the global water crisis. Recently, membranes are becoming more versatile and powerful with upgraded electroconductive [...] Read more.
Membrane technologies are playing an ever-important role in the field of water treatment since water reuse and desalination were put in place as alternative water resources to alleviate the global water crisis. Recently, membranes are becoming more versatile and powerful with upgraded electroconductive capabilities, owing to the development of novel materials (e.g., carbon nanotubes and graphene) with dual properties for assembling into membranes and exerting electrochemical activities. Novel nanomaterial-based electrically responsive membranes have been employed with promising results for mitigating membrane fouling, enhancing membrane separation performance and self-cleaning ability, controlling membrane wettability, etc. In this article, recent progress in novel-nanomaterial-based electrically responsive membranes for application in the field of water purification are provided. Thereafter, several critical drawbacks and future outlooks are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology in Engineered Membranes)
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19 pages, 6224 KiB  
Perspective
Boron Nitride Nanotube (BNNT) Membranes for Energy and Environmental Applications
by Numan Yanar, Eunmok Yang, Hosik Park, Moon Son and Heechul Choi
Membranes 2020, 10(12), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10120430 - 16 Dec 2020
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5349
Abstract
Owing to their extraordinary thermal, mechanical, optical, and electrical properties, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have been attracting considerable attention in various scientific fields, making it more promising as a nanomaterial compared to other nanotubes. Recent studies reported that BNNTs exhibit better properties than [...] Read more.
Owing to their extraordinary thermal, mechanical, optical, and electrical properties, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have been attracting considerable attention in various scientific fields, making it more promising as a nanomaterial compared to other nanotubes. Recent studies reported that BNNTs exhibit better properties than carbon nanotubes, which have been extensively investigated for most environment-energy applications. Irrespective of its chirality, BNNT is a constant wide-bandgap insulator, exhibiting thermal oxidation resistance, piezoelectric properties, high hydrogen adsorption, ultraviolet luminescence, cytocompatibility, and stability. These unique properties of BNNT render it an exceptional material for separation applications, e.g., membranes. Recent studies reported that water filtration, gas separation, sensing, and battery separator membranes can considerably benefit from these properties. That is, flux, rejection, anti-fouling, sensing, structural, thermal, electrical, and optical properties of membranes can be enhanced by the contribution of BNNTs. Thus far, a majority of studies have focused on molecular simulation. Hence, the requirement of an extensive review has emerged. In this perspective article, advanced properties of BNNTs are analyzed, followed by a discussion on the advantages of these properties for membrane science with an overview of the current literature. We hope to provide insights into BNNT materials and accelerate research for environment-energy applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology in Engineered Membranes)
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16 pages, 2063 KiB  
Perspective
Membrane and Electrochemical Processes for Water Desalination: A Short Perspective and the Role of Nanotechnology
by Moon Son, Kyung Hwa Cho, Kwanho Jeong and Jongkwan Park
Membranes 2020, 10(10), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10100280 - 12 Oct 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3347
Abstract
In the past few decades, membrane-based processes have become mainstream in water desalination because of their relatively high water flux, salt rejection, and reasonable operating cost over thermal-based desalination processes. The energy consumption of the membrane process has been continuously lowered (from >10 [...] Read more.
In the past few decades, membrane-based processes have become mainstream in water desalination because of their relatively high water flux, salt rejection, and reasonable operating cost over thermal-based desalination processes. The energy consumption of the membrane process has been continuously lowered (from >10 kWh m−3 to ~3 kWh m−3) over the past decades but remains higher than the theoretical minimum value (~0.8 kWh m−3) for seawater desalination. Thus, the high energy consumption of membrane processes has led to the development of alternative processes, such as the electrochemical, that use relatively less energy. Decades of research have revealed that the low energy consumption of the electrochemical process is closely coupled with a relatively low extent of desalination. Recent studies indicate that electrochemical process must overcome efficiency rather than energy consumption hurdles. This short perspective aims to provide platforms to compare the energy efficiency of the representative membrane and electrochemical processes based on the working principle of each process. Future water desalination methods and the potential role of nanotechnology as an efficient tool to overcome current limitations are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology in Engineered Membranes)
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