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New Trends in Membrane Preparation and Applications
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New Trends in Membrane Preparation and Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2019) | Viewed by 40338

Special Issue Editors

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
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

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last decades, we have witnessed a continuous increasing interest in the production and utilization of polymeric membranes in a wide variety of applications. The possibility of producing membrane with different tailored structures and properties allows their use in the most disparate processes. Therefore, membranes can be prepared using a broad spectrum of techniques, depending on both the membrane material adopted and the final application. Based on the preparation techniques and conditions selected, in fact, it is possible to vary the membrane morphology and properties.

Today, membranes represent a very well-established technology in desalination (e.g., reverse Osmosis), biomedical applications (e.g., hemodialysis) and wastewater treatment (e.g., membrane bio-reactor), recovery of added value products by fractionation and concentrations applications (e.g., pressure-driven membrane processes), and in gas and vapor separation (e.g., gas membranes or membrane contactors).

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. 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:

  • Advanced membrane preparation techniques;
  • Membrane functionalization and application;
  • Sustainability in membrane preparation;
  • Study of the effect of operating conditions and process parameters on membrane morphology and performance;
  • Application of high performing membranes in selected membrane processes.

Dr. Alberto Figoli
Dr. Francesco Galiano
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
  • Water and Wastewater treatment
  • Gas and Vapor Separation
  • New solvents in membrane preparation
  • New polymers in membrane preparation

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 185 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue: “New Trends in Membrane Preparation and Applications”
by Francesco Galiano and Alberto Figoli
Molecules 2020, 25(5), 1132; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25051132 - 03 Mar 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2214
Abstract
This Special Issue aims to provide a collection of recent advancements in the field of membrane science [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Membrane Preparation and Applications)

Research

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18 pages, 2640 KiB  
Article
Solvent-Free Process for the Development of Photocatalytic Membranes
by Rosa M. Huertas, Maria C. Fraga, João G. Crespo and Vanessa J. Pereira
Molecules 2019, 24(24), 4481; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24244481 - 06 Dec 2019
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2466
Abstract
This work described a new sustainable method for the fabrication of ceramic membranes with high photocatalytic activity, through a simple sol-gel route. The photocatalytic surfaces, prepared at low temperature and under solvent-free conditions, exhibited a narrow pore size distribution and homogeneity without cracks. [...] Read more.
This work described a new sustainable method for the fabrication of ceramic membranes with high photocatalytic activity, through a simple sol-gel route. The photocatalytic surfaces, prepared at low temperature and under solvent-free conditions, exhibited a narrow pore size distribution and homogeneity without cracks. These surfaces have shown a highly efficient and reproducible behavior for the degradation of methylene blue. Given their characterization results, the microfiltration photocatalytic membranes produced in this study using solvent-free conditions are expected to effectively retain microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi that could then be inactivated by photocatalysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Membrane Preparation and Applications)
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11 pages, 2961 KiB  
Communication
First Report on a Solvent-Free Preparation of Polymer Inclusion Membranes with an Ionic Liquid
by Ruben Vera, Enriqueta Anticó, José Ignacio Eguiazábal, Nora Aranburu and Clàudia Fontàs
Molecules 2019, 24(10), 1845; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24101845 - 14 May 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2811
Abstract
A novel and environmentally-friendly procedure for the preparation of polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) containing an ionic liquid is presented for the first time. Traditionally, PIMs are prepared by a solvent casting method with the use of harmful organic solvents. Here we report a [...] Read more.
A novel and environmentally-friendly procedure for the preparation of polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) containing an ionic liquid is presented for the first time. Traditionally, PIMs are prepared by a solvent casting method with the use of harmful organic solvents. Here we report a new solvent-free procedure based on a thermal-compression technique which involve the melting of the components of the PIM and the application of a high pressure to the melted specimen to form a flat-sheet film. In our study, we have tested different polymers, such as two cellulose derivatives as well as two thermoplastic polymers, polyurethane (TPU) and poli ε-caprolactone (PCL). The ionic liquid (IL) trioctylmethylammonium chloride (Aliquat 336) has been used to produce PIMs with a fixed composition of 70% polymer–30% IL (w/w). Both TPU and PCL polymers provide successful membranes, which have been thoroughly characterized. PIMs based on the polymer PCL showed a high stability. To test whether the properties of the IL were affected by the preparation conditions, the extraction ability of Aliquat 336 was investigated for both PCL and TPU membranes in terms of Cr(VI) extraction. Satisfactory values (90% extraction) were obtained for both membranes tested, showing this novel procedure as a green alternative for the preparation of PIMs with ILs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Membrane Preparation and Applications)
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Graphical abstract

13 pages, 3069 KiB  
Article
Experimental Evaluation of the Thermal Polarization in Direct Contact Membrane Distillation Using Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes Doped With Molecular Probes
by Sergio Santoro, Ivan Vidorreta, Isabel Coelhoso, Joao Carlos Lima, Giovanni Desiderio, Giuseppe Lombardo, Enrico Drioli, Reyes Mallada, Joao Crespo, Alessandra Criscuoli and Alberto Figoli
Molecules 2019, 24(3), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24030638 - 12 Feb 2019
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 3972
Abstract
Membrane distillation (MD) has recently gained considerable attention as a valid process for the production of fresh-water due to its ability to exploit low grade waste heat for operation and to ensure a nearly feed concentration-independent production of high-purity distillate. Limitations have been [...] Read more.
Membrane distillation (MD) has recently gained considerable attention as a valid process for the production of fresh-water due to its ability to exploit low grade waste heat for operation and to ensure a nearly feed concentration-independent production of high-purity distillate. Limitations have been related to polarization phenomena negatively affecting the thermal efficiency of the process and, as a consequence, its productivity. Several theoretical models have been developed to predict the impact of the operating conditions of the process on the thermal polarization, but there is a lack of experimental validation. In this study, electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENMs) made of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and doped with (1, 10-phenanthroline) ruthenium (II) Ru(phen)3 were tested at different operating conditions (i.e., temperature and velocity of the feed) in direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). The temperature sensitive luminophore, Ru(phen)3, allowed the on-line and non-invasive mapping of the temperature at the membrane surface during the process and the experimental evaluation of the effect of the temperature and velocity of the feed on the thermal polarization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Membrane Preparation and Applications)
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Review

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20 pages, 1451 KiB  
Review
Top-Down Polyelectrolytes for Membrane-Based Post-Combustion CO2 Capture
by Daria Nikolaeva and Patricia Luis
Molecules 2020, 25(2), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25020323 - 13 Jan 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5177
Abstract
Polymer-based CO2 selective membranes offer an energy efficient method to separate CO2 from flue gas. ‘Top-down’ polyelectrolytes represent a particularly interesting class of polymer materials based on their vast synthetic flexibility, tuneable interaction with gas molecules, ease of processability into thin [...] Read more.
Polymer-based CO2 selective membranes offer an energy efficient method to separate CO2 from flue gas. ‘Top-down’ polyelectrolytes represent a particularly interesting class of polymer materials based on their vast synthetic flexibility, tuneable interaction with gas molecules, ease of processability into thin films, and commercial availability of precursors. Recent developments in their synthesis and processing are reviewed herein. The four main groups of post-synthetically modified polyelectrolytes discern ionised neutral polymers, cation and anion functionalised polymers, and methacrylate-derived polyelectrolytes. These polyelectrolytes differentiate according to the origin and chemical structure of the precursor polymer. Polyelectrolytes are mostly processed into thin-film composite (TFC) membranes using physical and chemical layer deposition techniques such as solvent-casting, Langmuir-Blodgett, Layer-by-Layer, and chemical grafting. While solvent-casting allows manufacturing commercially competitive TFC membranes, other methods should still mature to become cost-efficient for large-scale application. Many post-synthetically modified polyelectrolytes exhibit outstanding selectivity for CO2 and some overcome the Robeson plot for CO2/N2 separation. However, their CO2 permeance remain low with only grafted and solvent-casted films being able to approach the industrially relevant performance parameters. The development of polyelectrolyte-based membranes for CO2 separation should direct further efforts at promoting the CO2 transport rates while maintaining high selectivities with additional emphasis on environmentally sourced precursor polymers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Membrane Preparation and Applications)
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15 pages, 10990 KiB  
Review
Membrane Processes for Microplastic Removal
by Teresa Poerio, Emma Piacentini and Rosalinda Mazzei
Molecules 2019, 24(22), 4148; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24224148 - 15 Nov 2019
Cited by 160 | Viewed by 17050
Abstract
Plastic pollution of the aquatic environment is a major concern considering the disastrous impact on the environment and on human beings. The significant and continuous increase in the production of plastics causes an enormous amount of plastic waste on the land entering the [...] Read more.
Plastic pollution of the aquatic environment is a major concern considering the disastrous impact on the environment and on human beings. The significant and continuous increase in the production of plastics causes an enormous amount of plastic waste on the land entering the aquatic environment. Furthermore, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are reported as the main source of microplastic and nanoplastic in the effluents, since they are not properly designed for this purpose. The application of advanced wastewater treatment technologies is mandatory to avoid effluent contamination by plastics. A concrete solution can be represented by membrane technologies as tertiary treatment of effluents in integrated systems for wastewater treatment, in particular, for the plastic particles with a smaller size (< 100 nm). In this review, a survey of the membrane processes applied in the plastic removal is analyzed and critically discussed. From the literature analysis, it was found that the removal of microplastic by membrane technology is still insufficient, and without the use of specially designed approaches, with the exception of membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Membrane Preparation and Applications)
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17 pages, 1363 KiB  
Review
New Trends in Biopolymer-Based Membranes for Pervaporation
by Roberto Castro-Muñoz and José González-Valdez
Molecules 2019, 24(19), 3584; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24193584 - 05 Oct 2019
Cited by 58 | Viewed by 4179
Abstract
Biopolymers are currently the most convenient alternative for replacing chemically synthetized polymers in membrane preparation. To date, several biopolymers have been proposed for such purpose, including the ones derived from animal (e.g., polybutylene succinate, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalcanoates), vegetable sources (e.g., starch, cellulose-based polymers, [...] Read more.
Biopolymers are currently the most convenient alternative for replacing chemically synthetized polymers in membrane preparation. To date, several biopolymers have been proposed for such purpose, including the ones derived from animal (e.g., polybutylene succinate, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalcanoates), vegetable sources (e.g., starch, cellulose-based polymers, alginate, polyisoprene), bacterial fermentation products (e.g., collagen, chitin, chitosan) and specific production processes (e.g., sericin). Particularly, these biopolymer-based membranes have been implemented into pervaporation (PV) technology, which assists in the selective separation of azeotropic water-organic, organic-water, organic-organic mixtures, and specific separations of chemical reactions. Thereby, the aim of the present review is to present the current state-of-the-art regarding the different concepts on preparing membranes for PV. Particular attention is paid to the most relevant insights in the field, highlighting the followed strategies by authors for such successful approaches. Finally, by reviewing the ongoing development works, the concluding remarks and future trends are addressed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Membrane Preparation and Applications)
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