Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2025

Preparation of Light-responsive Membranes by a Combined Surface Grafting and Postmodification Process
Published on: March 21, 2014
Making waves: Magneto-responsive membranes with special and switchable wettability: new opportunities for membrane
Libing Zheng1, Mathias Ulbricht2, Bart Van der Bruggen3
1State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Lehrstuhl für Technische Chemie II, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45117, Germany; Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven B-3001, Belgium.
Abstract:
Membrane distillation (MD) has promising potential in the water purification and wastewater treatment industries; however, fouling and wetting are the main obstacles to its commercialization, and higher fluxes and energy efficiencies are essential. Magneto-responsive membranes (MagMem) with integrated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) enable in situ fouling mitigation and switchable separation by nano-mixing or nano-heating, triggered by external magnetic fields, in a range of membrane processes, but not yet been demonstrated in MD. This perspective discussed the potential paths of MagMem utilization in MD based on the research status and dilemmas of MD. It can be envisioned that MagMem will lead to a paradigm shift in MD, especially by in situ fouling/wetting mitigation and enhancing energy efficiency via in-place actuation and localized heating by MNPs. Moreover, remotely controllable pore tuning and specific or switchable wettability can also be anticipated. Overall, MagMem provides attractive opportunities for advanced robust and efficient MD.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Potentiometry: Membrane Electrodes
Membrane Fluidity

