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PVDF Nanofiber Membranes for Dissolved Methane Recovery from Water Prepared by Combining Electrospinning and
Félix Montero-Rocca1, Jose D Badia-Valiente1, Ramón Jiménez-Robles1
1Research Group in Materials Technology and Sustainability (MATS), Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Valencia, Avda. Universitat s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
ACS Polymers Au
|August 18, 2025
Summary
Hot-pressing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENMs) improves their suitability for membrane contactors. This process enhances pore structure and hydrophobicity for efficient methane removal from wastewater.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENMs) show promise for environmental applications, particularly in removing dissolved methane (CH4) from anaerobic effluents using membrane contactors (MCs).
- Optimizing PVDF ENM properties is crucial for effective gas-liquid separations in MCs, requiring control over morphology, hydrophobicity, and structural integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize a fabrication protocol for PVDF ENMs using electrospinning and hot-pressing (HP) treatments.
- To investigate the effects of hot-pressing parameters (pressure, temperature, time) on the physical and chemical properties of PVDF ENMs.
- To evaluate the performance of the optimized PVDF ENMs in dissolved CH4 removal applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PVDF ENMs via electrospinning with varying dope compositions (10-15% PVDF, 0.00-0.043% LiCl).
- Application of hot-pressing treatment with systematic variation of pressure (1-20 MPa), temperature (25-120 °C), and time (2-10 min).
- Characterization of membrane morphology, hydrophobicity (water contact angle - WCA), pore size distribution, and crystalline structure.
- Performance testing for dissolved CH4 recovery and mechanical stability over 80 hours.
Main Results:
- PVDF fibers began to sinter above 60 °C during hot-pressing (1-20 MPa).
- Optimized HP conditions (≥1 MPa, ≥60 °C, 6 min) significantly reduced membrane thickness (e.g., 270 to 38 μm at 10 MPa) and WCA (e.g., 139° to 110°).
- Hot-pressing resulted in narrower pore size distributions, predominantly around 0.40 μm, and enhanced PVDF crystalline structure uniformity without altering overall crystallinity.
- The hot-pressed PVDF ENMs demonstrated comparable CH4 recovery to commercial membranes and maintained stable performance for over 80 hours.
Conclusions:
- Hot-pressing is an effective post-treatment for PVDF electrospun nanofiber membranes, enhancing their suitability for membrane contactor applications.
- The optimized fabrication protocol yields robust, hydrophobic membranes with controlled pore structures for efficient dissolved methane removal.
- The developed PVDF ENMs offer a promising solution for environmental applications requiring effective gas-liquid separation.
