Confining Nano-Fe3o4 in Superhydrophilic Membrane Skin Layer to Minimize Internal Fouling
Membrane surface fouling is often reversible as it can be mitigated by enhancing the crossflow shear force. However, membrane internal fouling is often irreversible and thus more challenging. In this study, we developed a new superhydrophilic polyvinylidene fluoride (P-PVDF) membrane confined with nano-Fe 3 O 4 in the top skin layer via reverse filtration to reduce internal fouling. The surface of the P-PVDF membrane confined with nano-Fe 3 O 4 had superwetting properties, increased roughness and enhanced water affinity. The Fe 3 O 4 @P-PVDF membrane surface showed a thicker and enhanced hydration layer, which prevented foulants from approaching membrane surfaces and pores, thereby improving the rejection. The results from the resistance-in-series model showed that nanoconfinement of Fe 3 O 4 in the top skin layer of the membrane allowed foulants to accumulate on the membrane surface (i.e., surface fouling) rather than within the internal pores (i.e., internal fouling). The filtration results under crossflow fouling and cleaning confirmed the Fe 3 O 4 @P-PVDF membrane had higher surface fouling but it was much more reversible, and much lower internal fouling compared with the control membrane. Our fouling analysis offers new insights into mass transfer mechanisms of the membrane with a nanoconfinement enhanced hydration layer. This study provides an effective strategy to develop membranes with low internal fouling propensities
Year of publication: |
[2022]
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Authors: | Xiong, Zhu ; Huang, Yongshi ; Huang, Zehui ; Shi, Yiwen ; Qu, Fangshu ; Zhang, Gaosheng ; Yang, Jingxin ; Zhao, Shuaifei |
Publisher: |
[S.l.] : SSRN |
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