In-Situ Modification of Nanofiltration Membranes Using Carbon Nanotubes for Water Treatment
Modification of thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration (NF) membranes to increase permeability and improve separation performance remains a significant challenge for water scarcity. This study aimed to enhance the permeability and selectivity of two commercial polyamide (PA) NF membranes, NF90 and...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-06-01
|
| Series: | Membranes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/13/7/616 |
| _version_ | 1797588330261512192 |
|---|---|
| author | Catalina Vargas-Figueroa Luis Pino-Soto Angelo Beratto-Ramos Yesid Tapiero Bernabé Luis Rivas María Elizabeth Berrio Manuel Francisco Melendrez Rodrigo M. Bórquez |
| author_facet | Catalina Vargas-Figueroa Luis Pino-Soto Angelo Beratto-Ramos Yesid Tapiero Bernabé Luis Rivas María Elizabeth Berrio Manuel Francisco Melendrez Rodrigo M. Bórquez |
| author_sort | Catalina Vargas-Figueroa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Modification of thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration (NF) membranes to increase permeability and improve separation performance remains a significant challenge for water scarcity. This study aimed to enhance the permeability and selectivity of two commercial polyamide (PA) NF membranes, NF90 and NF270, by modifying them with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using microwave (MW)-assisted in-situ growth. The conducting polymer, polypyrrole (Ppy), and a ferrocene catalyst were used to facilitate the growth process. Chemical and morphological analyses confirmed that the surface of both membranes was modified. The NF270-Ppy-CNT membrane was selected for ion rejection testing due to its superior permeability compared to the NF90-Ppy-CNT. The modified NF270 membrane showed a 14% increase in ion rejection while maintaining constant water permeability. The results demonstrated that it is feasible to attach CNTs to a polymeric surface without compromising its functional properties. The Spliegler–Kedem model was employed to model the rejection and permeate flux of NF270-Ppy-CNT and NF270 membranes, which indicated that diffusive transport contributes to the modification to increase NaCl rejection. The present study provides a promising approach for modifying membranes by in-situ CNT growth to improve their performance in water treatment applications, such as desalination. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:50:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-07e7d169deab4055be3c722284d4099e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:50:27Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj.art-07e7d169deab4055be3c722284d4099e2023-11-18T20:25:50ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752023-06-0113761610.3390/membranes13070616In-Situ Modification of Nanofiltration Membranes Using Carbon Nanotubes for Water TreatmentCatalina Vargas-Figueroa0Luis Pino-Soto1Angelo Beratto-Ramos2Yesid Tapiero3Bernabé Luis Rivas4María Elizabeth Berrio5Manuel Francisco Melendrez6Rodrigo M. Bórquez7Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 219, Concepción 4070409, ChileDepartamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 219, Concepción 4070409, ChileDepartamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 219, Concepción 4070409, ChileDepartamento de Polímeros, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 129, Concepción 4070371, ChileDepartamento de Polímeros, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 129, Concepción 4070371, ChileAdvanced Nanocomposites Research Group (GINA), Departamento de Ingeniería en Materiales (DIMAT), Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 315, Concepción 4070415, ChileAdvanced Nanocomposites Research Group (GINA), Departamento de Ingeniería en Materiales (DIMAT), Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 315, Concepción 4070415, ChileDepartamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 219, Concepción 4070409, ChileModification of thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration (NF) membranes to increase permeability and improve separation performance remains a significant challenge for water scarcity. This study aimed to enhance the permeability and selectivity of two commercial polyamide (PA) NF membranes, NF90 and NF270, by modifying them with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using microwave (MW)-assisted in-situ growth. The conducting polymer, polypyrrole (Ppy), and a ferrocene catalyst were used to facilitate the growth process. Chemical and morphological analyses confirmed that the surface of both membranes was modified. The NF270-Ppy-CNT membrane was selected for ion rejection testing due to its superior permeability compared to the NF90-Ppy-CNT. The modified NF270 membrane showed a 14% increase in ion rejection while maintaining constant water permeability. The results demonstrated that it is feasible to attach CNTs to a polymeric surface without compromising its functional properties. The Spliegler–Kedem model was employed to model the rejection and permeate flux of NF270-Ppy-CNT and NF270 membranes, which indicated that diffusive transport contributes to the modification to increase NaCl rejection. The present study provides a promising approach for modifying membranes by in-situ CNT growth to improve their performance in water treatment applications, such as desalination.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/13/7/616membrane filtrationcarbon nanotubesnanofiltration (NF) modificationSpielger-Kedem modelpoptube |
| spellingShingle | Catalina Vargas-Figueroa Luis Pino-Soto Angelo Beratto-Ramos Yesid Tapiero Bernabé Luis Rivas María Elizabeth Berrio Manuel Francisco Melendrez Rodrigo M. Bórquez In-Situ Modification of Nanofiltration Membranes Using Carbon Nanotubes for Water Treatment Membranes membrane filtration carbon nanotubes nanofiltration (NF) modification Spielger-Kedem model poptube |
| title | In-Situ Modification of Nanofiltration Membranes Using Carbon Nanotubes for Water Treatment |
| title_full | In-Situ Modification of Nanofiltration Membranes Using Carbon Nanotubes for Water Treatment |
| title_fullStr | In-Situ Modification of Nanofiltration Membranes Using Carbon Nanotubes for Water Treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | In-Situ Modification of Nanofiltration Membranes Using Carbon Nanotubes for Water Treatment |
| title_short | In-Situ Modification of Nanofiltration Membranes Using Carbon Nanotubes for Water Treatment |
| title_sort | in situ modification of nanofiltration membranes using carbon nanotubes for water treatment |
| topic | membrane filtration carbon nanotubes nanofiltration (NF) modification Spielger-Kedem model poptube |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/13/7/616 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT catalinavargasfigueroa insitumodificationofnanofiltrationmembranesusingcarbonnanotubesforwatertreatment AT luispinosoto insitumodificationofnanofiltrationmembranesusingcarbonnanotubesforwatertreatment AT angeloberattoramos insitumodificationofnanofiltrationmembranesusingcarbonnanotubesforwatertreatment AT yesidtapiero insitumodificationofnanofiltrationmembranesusingcarbonnanotubesforwatertreatment AT bernabeluisrivas insitumodificationofnanofiltrationmembranesusingcarbonnanotubesforwatertreatment AT mariaelizabethberrio insitumodificationofnanofiltrationmembranesusingcarbonnanotubesforwatertreatment AT manuelfranciscomelendrez insitumodificationofnanofiltrationmembranesusingcarbonnanotubesforwatertreatment AT rodrigomborquez insitumodificationofnanofiltrationmembranesusingcarbonnanotubesforwatertreatment |