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Three-Dimensionally Printed Microfluidic Cross-flow System for Ultrafiltration/Nanofiltration Membrane Performance Testing
Published on: February 13, 2016
Networked cellulose-integrated highly permeable TFC polyamide membranes with tailored nanofiltration performance.
Shabin Mohammed1, Jamaliah Aburabie2, Raed Hashaikeh2
1NYUAD Water Research Center, Department of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Department of Chemical Engineering, Higher College of Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Networked cellulose (NC) enhances thin-film composite (TFC) membranes for water treatment. This cost-effective additive improves membrane permeance and chlorine resistance, offering better desalination and filtration performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Thin-film composite (TFC) membranes are crucial for water treatment, offering high permeability and salt rejection.
- Improving TFC membrane performance and durability remains a key challenge in desalination and water purification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incorporation of networked cellulose (NC) into the selective layer of TFC membranes.
- To evaluate the impact of NC on membrane morphology, hydrophilicity, surface charge, and performance.
- To assess the enhanced resistance of NC-modified TFC membranes to chlorine attack.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of TFC membranes with varying concentrations of networked cellulose (NC) in the aqueous phase.
- Characterization of membrane morphology, hydrophilicity, and surface charge.
- Performance testing for permeance and rejection of divalent salts and dyes.
- Evaluation of chlorine resistance of the modified membranes.
Main Results:
- TFC membranes with 0.01% NC showed a permeance of 19.1 LMH/bar with >90% divalent salt rejection, a significant improvement over pristine membranes (7.2 LMH/bar).
- TFC membranes with 0.02% NC achieved higher permeance (38.7 LMH/bar) while maintaining exceptional dye rejection.
- Incorporation of NC enhanced membrane resistance to chlorine attack.
Conclusions:
- Networked cellulose (NC) is a promising additive for enhancing the performance of polyamide TFC nanofiltration membranes.
- NC incorporation offers a cost-effective and environmentally benign method to improve membrane permeance, salt/dye rejection, and chlorine resistance.
- NC-modified TFC membranes show significant potential for advanced water treatment and desalination applications.
