Search

Tight ultra-filtration (TUF) membranes were constructed by in situ growing zinc imidazole frameworks micro-crystalline leaves (ZIF-L) in polyethylene imine (PEI) and polydopamine (PDA) deposit layers on porous polyethylene (PE) substrates. The effects of preparation conditions on the surface physical and chemical structures as well as on the dye/salt separation performance of the formed TUF membranes were systematically investigated. By inserting selective water permeation channels and increasing contacting surface areas, in situ-grown ZIF-L arrays tightly cross-linked in the coating matrix greatly increased water permeation without trading off dye/salt retention selectivity. The morphology of the included ZIF-L particles could be varied by adjusting the ligand/Zn molar ratio (α) in the preparation processes. Optimized PDA-PEI/ZIF-L@PE TUF membranes containing ZIF-L of cross-cross block morphology showed very high pure water permeability of 180 ± 20 L·m−2·h−1·bar−1 (LMHB) and retention selectivity (S CR/Na2SO4 and S MB/Na2SO4) of 267 and 43, respectively, as well as excellent stability and anti-fouling properties. [Display omitted] • Lower cost-based TUF membranes were prepared for effective dye/salt separation. • In situ-grown ZIF-L increased water flux without losing dye retention selectivity. • PEI and PDA coating greatly enhanced the stability of ZIF-L in water. • Morphology of ZIF-L was tuned for improving membrane performance. • Protonation of the -NH- groups increased positive charge and water flux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • TFC membrane with an asymmetric separation layer was fabricated for nanofiltration. • The membrane was fabricated via IP process followed by secondary interface reaction. • High efficient nanofiltration of anionic dye aqueous solution was achieved. • Steady-state water flux was improved by at least 36.0%. • Steady-state flux decline was lowered by more than 23.5%. Abstract The development of high performance membrane is crucial for enhanced separation efficiency of nanofiltration process in treating wastewaters from dye and textile industries. In this work, a novel thin-film composite nanofiltration membrane with an asymmetric separation layer composed of relatively compact skin and loose body was designed and fabricated for improved perm-selectivity and antifouling property. Nascent composite membrane with loose poly(piperazine amide) (PA) separation layer was interfacially synthesized and performed with secondary surface reaction using an aqueous tannic acid (TA) solution. Membrane characterizations verified the formation of compact TA skin on top of the loose PA layer through forming covalent bonds via esterification reaction. Compared with the composite nanofiltration membrane with PA symmetric separation layer having the same glucose rejection of about 82.0%, the permeability to pure water of the composite membrane with PA/TA asymmetric separation layer was higher by 28.0%, the water fluxes to aqueous solutions dissolved with model anionic dyes of alizarin yellow R, sunset yellow and Congo red under steady state were higher by 50.3, 43.9 and 36.1%, and the steady-state flux declines were lowered by 27.8, 43.4 and 23.5%, respectively. Furthermore, the PA/TA-based membrane also exhibited better antifouling property and rejection ability to alizarin yellow R. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of efficient absorbent materials for detection and treatment of offshore oil spillages remained a challenge. In this work, C-shaped polypropylene oil-absorbent fibers with sub-micron internal pores were prepared by combining spun-bonding technique and thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). The effect of drawing speed on the phase separation and the porous morphology of the shaped fiber non-woven fabric (NWF) was investigated. C-shaped NWF with porous morphology had large water contact angle, higher porosity, larger specific surface area, and increased oil absorption speed and capacity. An online oil spillage detection system was developed using porous C-shaped NWF and an oxygen sensing probe, showing shorter response time and higher signal-to-noise (STN) ratio. The response time for detecting the spillage of soybean oil and diluted crude oil (0.5 mL/0.8 L) in water were only 24 s and 10 s, respectively. The reliable oil detection low detection limit (RLDL) of the oxygen sensing probe was reduced 173 times (from 36.5 g/L to 0.21 g/L) when combined with C-shaped porous fiber NWF. [Display omitted] • Spun-bond C-shaped porous NWF were prepared from TIPS process. • Drawing speed affect both pore size and morphology in the TIPS process. • Speed and capacity for oil absorption were greatly improved. • Oil spillage detection probe were improved using C-shaped porous fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raw and biologically treated textile effluents were submerged filtrated using lab-fabricated hollow fiber nanofiltration membrane with a molecular weight cut-off of about 650 g/mol. Permeate flux, chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction, color removal, membrane fouling, and cleaning were investigated and compared by varying the trans-membrane pressure (TMP) and volume concentrating factor (VCF). It was found that both raw and biologically treated textile effluents could be efficiently treated through submerged nanofiltration. The increase of TMP resulted in a decline in water permeability, COD reduction, color removal, and flux recovery ratio, while the increase of VCF resulted in both increased COD reduction and color removal. Under the TMP of 0.4 bar and VCF of 5.0, fluxes of 1.96 and 2.59 l/m 2 h, COD reductions of 95.7 and 94.2%, color removals of 99.0, and 97.3% and flux recovery ratios of 91.1 and 92.9% could be obtained in filtration of raw and biologically treated effluents, respectively. After filtration, the COD and color contents of the raw effluent declined sharply from 1780 to 325 mg/l and 1.200 to 0.060 Abs/cm, respectively, while for the biologically treated effluent, they decreased from 780 to 180 mg/l and 0.370 to 0.045 Abs/cm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of efficient absorbent materials for oil spillage clean-up and environmental pollution remediation is highly desired but remains a challenge. In this work, superhydrophobic/superoleophilic polysulfone based ZIF-7 composite (SPZ) foams were fabricated via chemical modification of polysulfone and integrating with hydrophobic coin-shaped ZIF-7 particles. The synergistic approaches provided the SPZ foams with high porosity, low density and superhydrophobic/superoleophilic features (θ water =162.3°, θ oil =0°) and outstanding self-cleaning property. The as-prepared SPZ foams exhibited highly selective absorption capacity (up to 3800 wt%) for various kinds of oils and organic solvents. Furthermore, the SPZ foams still maintained 95.2% of its pristine absorption capacity and the θ water remained at 143.6° after ten absorption/distillation cycles. The SPZ foam showed outstanding separation ability towards different types of emulsions with separation efficiency all above 97%. The high oil/water separation efficiency and robust reusability made the SPZ foams promising absorbent in dealing with practical oil spills. [Display omitted] • Novel superhydrophobic polysulfone composite foams was successfully fabricated. • Coin-shaped ZIF-7 particles were synthesized and investigated for the first time. • The oil-absorption capability of the foams was systematically investigated. • The foams exhibited excellent oil/water separation performance and recyclability. • The foams could effectively separate different surfactant-stabilized emulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Removal of fluoride from aqueous solution using granular acid-treated bentonite (GHB) was studied by batch and column adsorption experiments. The results of the batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that the maximum fluoride removal was obtained at pH of 4.95 and it took 40min to attain equilibrium. Kinetics data fitted pseudo-second-order model. Batch adsorption data was better described by Redlich–Peterson and Freundlich isotherm models than Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorption type of GHB was ion exchange. Column experiments were carried out at different influent fluoride concentrations and different flow rates. The capacities of the breakthrough and exhaustion points increased with the decrease of flow rate and the increase of initial fluoride concentration. The experimental results were well fitted with Thomas model. Exhausted GHB was regenerated by alkali/alum treatment. The total sorption capacity of GHB was increased after regeneration and activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Carbodiimide-assisted zwitterionic modification was performed with PA TFC membrane. • Irreversible depositions by dyes CR and VBB were lowered by 68.4 and 91.8 %. • Water permeabilities to CR and VBB aqueous solutions were enhanced by 62.3 and 95.2 %. • Permselectivity property was better than most of the reported zwitterionic membranes. • Separation performance to dye aqueous solutions was better than membrane NF270. In this work, a novel method of carbodiimide-assisted zwitterionic modification was proposed and implemented to incorporate zwitterionic moieties onto poly(piperazine amide) membrane for improved water permeability and anti-depositing property, which are crucial for highly efficient nanofiltration of dye-contained effluents. Carboxyl groups of polyamide layer were firstly transferred into N-acylurea using excess l-ethyl-3-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-carbodiimide. Zwitterions were then incorporated through ring-opening reaction between tertiary amine groups of N-acylurea and 1, 4-butanesultone. Carbodiimide-assisted zwitterionic modification was verified by ATR-IR and XPS analyses and was found to not affect membrane pore size but significantly enhance membrane's permeation and anti-dye-deposition performances. Compared with those of virgin membrane, water permeabilities of the desired zwitterionic membrane to pure water, Congo red aqueous solution and Victoria blue B aqueous solution were higher by 42.9, 62.3 and 95.2 %, respectively, hydraulic resistances from irreversible deposition of Congo red and Victoria blue B molecules were dramatically lowered by 68.4 and 91.8 %, respectively. Furthermore, the perm-selectivity performance of the desired zwitterionic membrane in terms of molecular weight cut-off and pure water permeability was better than most of the reported zwitterionic membranes, and the separation and anti-depositing performances to both anionic and cationic dye aqueous solutions were better than commercial membrane NF270. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]