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Updated: May 28, 2026
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Three-Dimensionally Printed Microfluidic Cross-flow System for Ultrafiltration/Nanofiltration Membrane Performance Testing
Published on: February 13, 2016
Electro-Induced Coordination Reconfiguration Strategy Guiding Water State Evolution against Gel-like Fouling in
Linhua Rao1, Jiajian Xing1, Gaoliang Wei1
1Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, MOE), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
Environmental Science & Technology
|May 26, 2026
Summary
Electro-induced coordination reconfiguration (EICR) prevents gel-like membrane fouling in surface water treatment by altering water states. This novel strategy significantly extends membrane backwashing intervals, improving water purification efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Engineering
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Conventional ultrafiltration (UF) faces severe membrane fouling from natural organic matter (NOM) and multivalent cations, forming gel-like layers.
- This fouling significantly reduces UF efficiency and increases operational costs in surface water treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate an electro-induced coordination reconfiguration (EICR) strategy for mitigating gel-like membrane fouling.
- To investigate the role of water state evolution in fouling reduction.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of electrically conductive carbon nanotube polyvinylidene fluoride hollow fiber membranes (CNT-PVDF HFM).
- Application of potential to induce EICR and in situ electrochemical experiments.
- Theoretical simulations using Flory-Huggins lattice theory.
- Surface water treatment experiments comparing CNT-PVDF HFM with conventional PVDF membranes.
Main Results:
- EICR effectively disrupted coordination between NOM and multivalent cations, preventing hydrogel formation.
- Interfacial water transitioned from interstitial to free water, enhancing permeation.
- Water state evolution accounted for 81.4% of reduced filtration resistance, surpassing electrostatic repulsion.
- CNT-PVDF HFM at -1.5 V vs Ag/AgCl extended backwashing intervals 12-fold compared to conventional PVDF membranes.
Conclusions:
- Guiding water state evolution is crucial for mitigating complex gel-like membrane fouling.
- The EICR strategy offers a promising proactive approach for advanced antifouling membrane technology.
- This research opens new avenues for efficient and sustainable water treatment solutions.
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