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Molecules
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New Horizons in Membrane Science: from Preparation to Application
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New Horizons in Membrane Science: from Preparation to Application

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecular Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 5164

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francesco Galiano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute on Membrane Technology, National esearch Council, ITM-CNR, via P. Bucci, 17/C, 87036 Rende, Cosenza, Italy
Interests: polymeric membranes; hollow-fibers; membrane preparation; bio-polymeric membranes; membrane characterization; pervaporation; antifouling coatings; self-cleaning membranes; ultra-micro filtration; sustainable membrane preparation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sergio Santoro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
Interests: polymeric membranes; mixed-matrix membranes; nanotechnologies; thermoplasmonics; molecular probes; active coatings; electrospinning; desalination; solar-driven membrane distillation; gradient salinity energy; zero liquid discharge; circular economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alberto Figoli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute on Membrane Technology, National Research Council, ITM-CNR, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
Interests: polymeric membranes; sustainable membrane preparation; bio-polymeric membranes; flat membranes; hollow-fibers; nano fibers; membrane preparation; membrane characterization; pervaporation; antifouling coatings; self-cleaning membranes; ultra-micro filtration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of membrane science is in a state of rapid growth and development. Many different breakthroughs in recent decades have been accomplished towards improving the separation properties of existing membrane materials and in proposing new processes, such as energy conversion processes and specialized biomedical diagnostics based on membranes. Each application requires membranes with well-defined properties and characteristics, providing high separation performance and working with a low energy consumption. In this context, different approaches have already been envisaged based on the use of new membrane materials and innovative production methods. Among others, the newly available nanomaterials, the development of tailored block copolymers, and the recent use of 1D, 2D, or 3D materials, together with recent fabrication procedures, play a crucial role in the production of membranes with continuously improving performance. Membranes with improved stability, selectivity, and permeability, specifically tailored for a determined application, are highly desired. Currently, the innovation in membrane preparation is also subject to an increasing environmental awareness oriented toward the replacement of hazardous solvents used in membrane fabrication with benign alternatives, and to the use of new renewable materials.

In this Special Issue, researchers are invited to contribute original research papers as well as review articles related to the preparation, characterization, and application of polymeric, mixed-matrix, and inorganic membranes, in both flat and hollow-fiber configuration, that display new and promising properties. We are particularly interested in articles focusing on innovative aspects in the preparation and application of membranes with tailored and unique features. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Novel materials in membrane preparation;
  • New approaches in membrane preparation;
  • Sustainability in membrane preparation;
  • New areas of application of membranes.

Dr. Francesco Galiano
Dr. Sergio Santoro
Dr. Alberto Figoli
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. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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

  • Polymeric membranes
  • Inorganic membranes
  • Mixed-matrix membranes
  • Membrane preparation
  • Membrane characterization
  • Hollow fibers
  • Separation mechanism
  • Sustainable solvents in membrane preparation
  • Biopolymers
  • Renewable materials membrane preparation

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3535 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Ti2SnC-MAX Phase Blended PES Membranes with Improved Hydrophilicity and Antifouling Properties for Oil/Water Separation
by Mahdie Safarpour, Shahla Hosseinpour, Mahsa Haddad Irani-nezhad, Yasin Orooji and Alireza Khataee
Molecules 2022, 27(24), 8914; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27248914 - 15 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1354
Abstract
In this research work, the Ti2SnC MAX phase (MP) was synthesized via the reactive sintering procedure. The layered and crystalline structure of this MP was verified by SEM, HRTEM, and XRD analyses. This nano-additive was used for improvement of different features [...] Read more.
In this research work, the Ti2SnC MAX phase (MP) was synthesized via the reactive sintering procedure. The layered and crystalline structure of this MP was verified by SEM, HRTEM, and XRD analyses. This nano-additive was used for improvement of different features of the polyethersulfone (PES) polymeric membranes. The blended membranes containing diverse quantities of the MP (0–1 wt%) were fabricated by a non-solvent-induced phase inversion method. The asymmetric structure of the membranes with small holes in the top layer and coarse finger-like holes and macro-voids in the sublayer was observed by applying SEM analysis. The improvement of the membrane’s hydrophilicity was verified via reducing the contact angle of the membranes from 63.38° to 49.77° (for bare and optimum membranes, respectively). Additionally, in the presence of 0.5 wt% MP, the pure water flux increased from 286 h to 355 L/m2 h. The average roughness of this membrane increased in comparison with the bare membrane, which shows the increase in the filtration-available area. The high separation efficiency of the oil/water emulsion (80%) with an improved flux recovery ratio of 65% was illustrated by the optimum blended membrane. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Horizons in Membrane Science: from Preparation to Application)
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14 pages, 3906 KiB  
Article
Development of Ultrahigh Permeance Hollow Fiber Membranes via Simple Surface Coating for CO2/CH4 Separation
by Noresah Said, Kar Chun Wong, Woei Jye Lau, Ying Siew Khoo, Yin Fong Yeong, Nur Hidayati Othman, Pei Sean Goh and Ahmad Fauzi Ismail
Molecules 2022, 27(23), 8381; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238381 - 01 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1139
Abstract
Most researchers focused on developing highly selective membranes for CO2/CH4 separation, but their developed membranes often suffered from low permeance. In this present work, we aimed to develop an ultrahigh permeance membrane using a simple coating technique to overcome the [...] Read more.
Most researchers focused on developing highly selective membranes for CO2/CH4 separation, but their developed membranes often suffered from low permeance. In this present work, we aimed to develop an ultrahigh permeance membrane using a simple coating technique to overcome the trade-off between membrane permeance and selectivity. A commercial silicone membrane with superior permeance but low CO2/CH4 selectivity (in the range of 2–3) was selected as the host for surface modification. Our results revealed that out of the three silane agents tested, only tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) improved the control membrane’s permeance and selectivity. This can be due to its short structural chain and better compatibility with the silicone substrate. Further investigation revealed that higher CO2 permeance and selectivity could be attained by coating the membrane with two layers of TEOS. The surface integrity of the TEOS-coated membrane was further improved when an additional polyether block amide (Pebax) layer was established atop the TEOS layer. This additional layer sealed the pin holes of the TEOS layer and enhanced the resultant membrane’s performance, achieving CO2/CH4 selectivity of ~19 at CO2 permeance of ~2.3 × 105 barrer. This performance placed our developed membrane to surpass the 2008 Robeson Upper Boundary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Horizons in Membrane Science: from Preparation to Application)
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21 pages, 2929 KiB  
Article
Development of a Polymeric Membrane Impregnated with Poly-Lactic Acid (PLA) Nanoparticles Loaded with Red Propolis (RP)
by Valdemir da Costa Silva, Ticiano G. do Nascimento, Naianny L. O. N. Mergulhão, Johnnatan D. Freitas, Ilza Fernanda B. Duarte, Laisa Carolina G. de Bulhões, Camila B. Dornelas, João Xavier de Araújo, Júnior, Jucenir dos Santos, Anielle C. A. Silva, Irinaldo D. Basílio, Júnior and Marilia O. F. Goulart
Molecules 2022, 27(20), 6959; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27206959 - 17 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1523
Abstract
The main objectives of this study were to develop and characterize hydrophilic polymeric membranes impregnated with poly-lactic acid (PLA) nanoparticles (NPs) combined with red propolis (RP). Ultrasonic-assisted extraction was used to obtain 30% (w/v) red propolis hydroalcoholic extract (RPE). [...] Read more.
The main objectives of this study were to develop and characterize hydrophilic polymeric membranes impregnated with poly-lactic acid (PLA) nanoparticles (NPs) combined with red propolis (RP). Ultrasonic-assisted extraction was used to obtain 30% (w/v) red propolis hydroalcoholic extract (RPE). The NPs (75,000 g mol−1) alone and incorporated with RP (NPRP) were obtained using the solvent emulsification and diffusion technique. Biopolymeric hydrogel membranes (MNPRP) were obtained using carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and NPRP. Their characterization was performed using thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), total phenols (TPC) and flavonoids contents (TFC), and antioxidant activity through the radical scavenging assay with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The identification and quantification of significant RP markers were performed through UPLC-DAD. The NPs were evaluated for particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential. The TPC for RPE, NPRP, and MNPRP was 240.3 ± 3.4, 191.7 ± 0.3, and 183.4 ± 2.1 mg EGA g−1, while for TFC, the value was 37.8 ± 0.9, 35 ± 3.9, and 26.8 ± 1.9 mg EQ g−1, respectively. Relevant antioxidant activity was also observed by FRAP, with 1400.2 (RPE), 1294.2 (NPRP), and 696.2 µmol Fe2+ g−1 (MNPRP). The primary markers of RP were liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, and formononetin. The particle sizes were 194.1 (NPs) and 361.2 nm (NPRP), with an encapsulation efficiency of 85.4%. Thermal analysis revealed high thermal stability for the PLA, nanoparticles, and membranes. The DSC revealed no interaction between the components. FTIR allowed for characterizing the RPE encapsulation in NPRP and CMC for the MNPRP. The membrane loaded with NPRP, fully characterized, has antioxidant capacity and may have application in the treatment of skin wounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Horizons in Membrane Science: from Preparation to Application)
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