Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
10:19
Three-Dimensionally Printed Microfluidic Cross-flow System for Ultrafiltration/Nanofiltration Membrane Performance Testing
Published on: February 13, 2016
10.8K
All-nanoparticle layer-by-layer surface modification of micro- and ultrafiltration membranes
Luis Escobar-Ferrand1, Diya Li, Daeyeon Lee
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York 10027, United States.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|February 27, 2014
Summary
Surface modification of microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes using layer-by-layer (LbL) silica nanoparticle deposition creates thin film composite (TFC) membranes with nanofiltration (NF) capabilities. This technique enhances membrane performance for advanced separation applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Polymeric microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes are widely used but often lack the selectivity for smaller molecule separation.
- Thin film composite (TFC) membranes offer improved separation performance but their fabrication can be complex.
- Nanoparticle-based surface modification presents a promising route to enhance membrane functionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition of inorganic silica nanoparticles for surface modification of MF/UF membranes.
- To develop novel thin film composite (TFC) membranes with enhanced separation capabilities for nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) applications.
- To evaluate the hydraulic characteristics and separation performance of the modified membranes.
Main Methods:
- Layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition of cationic and anionic silica nanoparticles onto porous polymeric substrates (PCTE, PES, SPEES).
- Optimization of deposition parameters, including pH and number of bilayers, to control layer thickness (100-1200 nm).
- Post-deposition hydrothermal treatment to improve mechanical durability and prevent cracking.
- Permeation tests using dextran standards to assess hydraulic properties and separation efficiency.
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of TFC membranes via LbL silica nanoparticle deposition on various MF/UF substrates.
- Demonstrated linear relationship between the number of deposited bilayers and the surface layer thickness.
- Optimized deposition and hydrothermal treatment minimized cracking and enhanced mechanical durability.
- PCTE-based TFC membranes exhibited nanofiltration (NF) separation capabilities.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticle-based LbL surface modification is an effective method to upgrade MF/UF membranes to NF performance.
- The LbL technique offers precise control over membrane surface properties and layer thickness.
- This approach provides a viable pathway for creating advanced TFC membranes for demanding separation tasks.
