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Related Concept Videos

Biofilms01:29

Biofilms

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
Coagulation01:06

Coagulation

Colloidal solids are solid particles suspended in solution. They are usually negatively charged, attracting a compact primary layer of positively charged ions, which attract more counterions to form an electrical double layer. Electrostatic repulsion between the charged double layers prevents the particles from colliding, stabilizing the colloids. These solids are often undesirable because they can contain toxins that are difficult to remove. Coagulation is a technique that helps aggregate and...
Colloidal precipitates01:09

Colloidal precipitates

The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...

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Polymeric membranes: surface modification for minimizing (bio)colloidal fouling.

Victor Kochkodan1, Daniel J Johnson1, Nidal Hilal2

  • 1Centre for Water Advanced Technologies and Environmental Research (CWATER), College of Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.

Advances in Colloid and Interface Science
|June 20, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Surface modification of polymer membranes reduces fouling from biocolloids and organic colloids in membrane processes. Techniques like grafting, coating, and nanoparticle use are reviewed for improved membrane performance.

Keywords:
BiofoulingCoatingColloidsGraftingLow-fouling membranesNanoparticlesSurface modification

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Membrane fouling by biocolloids and organic colloids significantly reduces efficiency in pressure-driven membrane processes.
  • Understanding colloidal interactions (e.g., van der Waals, electrical, hydration, hydrophobic, steric) and membrane surface properties (hydrophilicity, charge, roughness) is crucial for mitigating fouling.
  • Surface modification aims to create membranes with enhanced resistance to fouling, thereby improving process longevity and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in polymer membrane surface modification techniques for fouling reduction.
  • To outline the key goals and strategies for modifying membrane surfaces to combat (bio)colloidal fouling.
  • To critically summarize various surface modification approaches and characterization methods.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent studies on surface modification of polymer membranes.
  • Discussion of colloidal interactions and membrane surface properties influencing fouling.
  • Summary of techniques including UV/redox initiated surface grafting, physical coating/adsorption, chemical reactions, and nanoparticle modification.
  • Inclusion of advanced atomic force microscopy for fouling characterization.

Main Results:

  • Various surface modification strategies have been developed to reduce (bio)colloidal fouling on polymer membranes.
  • Techniques like surface grafting, protective layer coating, chemical modification, and nanoparticle integration show promise in fouling mitigation.
  • Advanced characterization methods, such as atomic force microscopy, are essential for understanding fouling mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • Surface modification is a key strategy for enhancing the antifouling properties of polymer membranes in pressure-driven processes.
  • A range of effective surface modification techniques are available, offering tailored solutions for different fouling challenges.
  • Continued research and application of these methods, coupled with advanced characterization, will lead to more robust and efficient membrane technologies.