Ultralong hydroxyapatite-based forward osmosis membrane for freshwater generation

Abstract

Increasing global water shortages are accelerating the pace of membrane manufacturing, which generates many environmentally harmful solvents. Such challenges need a radical rethink of developing innovative membranes that can address freshwater production without generating environmentally harmful solvents. This work utilized the synthesized ultra-long hydroxyapatite (UHA) by the solvothermal method using the green solvent oleic acid in preparing UHA-based forward osmosis membranes. The membranes were developed using different loading ratios of graphene oxide (GO) by vacuum-assisted filtration technique. The prepared GO/UHA membranes were identified using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Water contact angle and pore size distribution were determined for the obtained GO/UHA membranes. The obtained hierarchical porous structure in the prepared membranes with interconnected channels results in a stable water flux with reverse salt flux. The best water flux rate of 42 ± 2 L·m^–2·h^–1 was achieved using the 50 mg GO/UHA membrane, which is 3.3 times higher than the pristine membrane, and a reverse salt flux of 67 g·m^–2·h^–1. The obtained results showed a promising capability of a new generation of sustainable inorganic-based membranes that can be utilized in freshwater generation by energy-efficient techniques such as forward osmosis.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

forward osmosis / ultra-long hydroxyapatite / graphene oxide / inorganic-based membrane

References

[1] Nunes S P , Culfaz-Emecen P Z , Ramon G Z , Visser T , Koops G H , Jin W , Ulbricht M . Thinking the future of membranes: perspectives for advanced and new membrane materials and manufacturing processes. Journal of Membrane Science, 2020, 598: 117761

[2] Keyikoglu R , Karatas O , Rezania H , Kobya M , Vatanpour V , Khataee A . A review on treatment of membrane concentrates generated from landfill leachate treatment processes. Separation and Purification Technology, 2021, 259: 118182

[3] Yadav P , Ismail N , Essalhi M , Tysklind M , Athanassiadis D , Tavajohi N . Assessment of the environmental impact of polymeric membrane production. Journal of Membrane Science, 2021, 622: 118987

[4] Ismail N , Pan J , Rahmati M , Wang Q , Bouyer D , Khayet M , Cui Z , Tavajohi N . Non-ionic deep eutectic solvents for membrane formation. Journal of Membrane Science, 2022, 646: 120238

[5] BenferSPoppURichterHSiewertCTomandlG. Development and characterization of ceramic nanofiltration membranes. Separation and Purification Technology, 2001, 22–23(1–2): 231–237

[6] Kayvani Fard A , McKay G , Buekenhoudt A , Al Sulaiti H , Motmans F , Khraisheh M , Atieh M . Inorganic membranes: preparation and application for water treatment and desalination. Materials, 2018, 11(1): 74

[7] Verweij H . Inorganic membranes. Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, 2012, 1(2): 156–162

[8] Chung T S , Jiang L Y , Li Y , Kulprathipanja S . Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) comprising organic polymers with dispersed inorganic fillers for gas separation. Progress in Polymer Science, 2007, 32(4): 483–507

[9] Sanchez C , Belleville P , Popall M , Nicole L . Applications of advanced hybrid organic-inorganic nanomaterials: from laboratory to market. Chemical Society Reviews, 2011, 40(2): 696–753

[10] Lu B Q , Zhu Y J , Chen F . Highly flexible and nonflammable inorganic hydroxyapatite paper. Chemistry, 2014, 20(5): 1242–1246

[11] Shao Y T , Zhu Y J , Dong L Y , Zhang Q Q . A new kind of nanocomposite Xuan paper comprising ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires and cellulose fibers with a unique ink wetting performance. RSC Advances, 2019, 9(69): 40750–40757

[12] Zhang Q Q , Zhu Y J , Wu J , Shao Y T , Dong L Y . A new kind of filter paper comprising ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires and double metal oxide nanosheets for high-performance dye separation. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2020, 575: 78–87

[13] Qin D D , Zhu Y J , Chen F F , Yang R L , Xiong Z C . Self-floating aerogel composed of carbon nanotubes and ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires for highly efficient solar energy-assisted water purification. Carbon, 2019, 150: 233–243

[14] EideE B. Global Risks 2015. 10th ed. World Economic Forum, 2015

[15] Mekonnen M M , Hoekstra A Y . Four billion people facing severe water scarcity. Science Advances, 2016, 2(2): e1500323

[16] Cath T Y , Childress A E , Elimelech M . Forward osmosis: principles, applications, and recent developments. Journal of Membrane Science, 2006, 281(1-2): 70–87

[17] Aliyev E , Filiz V , Khan M M , Lee Y J , Abetz C , Abetz V . Structural characterization of graphene oxide: surface functional groups and fractionated oxidative debris. Nanomaterials, 2019, 9(8): 1180

[18] Zhang L , Lu Y , Liu Y L , Li M , Zhao H Y , Hou L A . High flux MWCNTs-interlinked GO hybrid membranes survived in cross-flow filtration for the treatment of strontium-containing wastewater. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2016, 320: 187–193

[19] Jiang D , Cooper V R , Dai S . Porous graphene as the ultimate membrane for gas separation. Nano Letters, 2009, 9(12): 4019–4024

[20] Xiong Z C , Yang R L , Zhu Y J , Chen F F , Dong L Y . Flexible hydroxyapatite ultralong nanowire-based paper for highly efficient and multifunctional air filtration. Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2017, 5(33): 17482–17491

[21] Li H , Zhu Y , Jiang Y , Yu Y , Chen F , Dong L , Wu J . Hierarchical assembly of monodisperse hydroxyapatite nanowires and construction of high-strength fire-resistant inorganic paper with high-temperature flexibility. Chem Nano Mat: Chemistry of Nanomaterials for Energy, Biology and More, 2017, 3(4): 259–268

[22] Wang Y , Ou R , Wang H , Xu T . Graphene oxide modified graphitic carbon nitride as a modifier for thin film composite forward osmosis membrane. Journal of Membrane Science, 2015, 475: 281–289

[23] Hummers W S Jr , Offeman R E . Preparation of graphitic oxide. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1958, 80(6): 1339

[24] Song X , Zhang Y , Abdel-Ghafar H M , Abdel-Aal E A , Huang M , Gul S , Jiang H . Polyamide membrane with an ultrathin GO interlayer on macroporous substrate for minimizing internal concentration polarization in forward osmosis. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2021, 412: 128607

[25] Duong P H H , Zuo J , Chung T S . Highly crosslinked layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte FO membranes: understanding effects of salt concentration and deposition time on FO performance. Journal of Membrane Science, 2013, 427: 411–421

[26] Zhang Q Q , Zhu Y J , Wu J , Dong L Y . Nanofiltration filter paper based on ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires and cellulose fibers/nanofibers. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2019, 7(20): 17198–17209

[27] Qiao X , Liao S , You C , Chen R . Phosphorus and nitrogen dual doped and simultaneously reduced graphene oxide with high surface area as efficient metal-free electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction. Catalysts, 2015, 5(2): 981–991

[28] Flora B , Kumar R , Tiwari P , Kumar A , Ruokolainen J , Narasimhan A K , Kesari K K , Gupta P K , Singh A . Development of chemically synthesized hydroxyapatite composite with reduced graphene oxide for enhanced mechanical properties. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 2023, 142: 105845

[29] Ceniceros-Reyes M A , Marín-Hernández K S , Sierra U , Saucedo-Salazar E M , Mendoza-Resendez R , Luna C , Hernández-Belmares P J , Rodríguez-Fernández O S , Fernández-Tavizón S , Hernández-Hernández E . . Reduction of graphene oxide by in-situ heating experiments in the transmission electron microscope. Surfaces and Interfaces, 2022, 35: 102448

[30] Wang J , Yu Z , Xiao X , Chen Z , Huang J , Liu Y . Xiao X, Chen Z, Huang J, Liu Y. A novel hydroxyapatite super-hydrophilic membrane for efficient separation of oil-water emulsions, desalting and removal of metal ions. Desalination, 2023, 565: 116864

[31] Xiong Z C , Zhu Y J , Chen F F , Sun T W , Shen Y Q . One-step synthesis of silver nanoparticle-decorated hydroxyapatite nanowires for the construction of highly flexible free-standing paper with high antibacterial activity. Chemistry, 2016, 22(32): 11224–11231

[32] Xiong Z C , Zhu Y J , Qin D D , Yang R L . Flexible salt-rejecting photothermal paper based on reduced graphene oxide and hydroxyapatite nanowires for high-efficiency solar energy-driven vapor generation and stable desalination. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2020, 12(29): 32556–32565

[33] Lu B Q , Zhu Y J , Chen F . Highly flexible and nonflammable inorganic hydroxyapatite paper. Chemistry, 2014, 20(5): 1242–1246

[34] Atchudan R , Perumal S , Joo J , Lee Y R . Synthesis and characterization of monodispersed spherical calcium oxide and calcium carbonate nanoparticles via simple pyrolysis. Nanomaterials, 2022, 12(14): 2424

[35] Bharath G , Latha B S , Alsharaeh E H , Prakash P , Ponpandian N . Enhanced hydroxyapatite nanorods formation on graphene oxide nanocomposite as a potential candidate for protein adsorption, pH controlled release and an effective drug delivery platform for cancer therapy. Analytical Methods, 2017, 9(2): 240–252

[36] Chen F F , Zhu Y J , Zhang Y G , Yang R L , Yu H P , Qin D D , Xiong Z C . Portable and writable photoluminescent chalk for on-site information protection on arbitrary substrates. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2019, 369: 766–774

[37] Huang Z , Gengenbach T , Tian J , Shen W , Garnier G . The role of polyaminoamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) on antibody longevity in bioactive paper. Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 2017, 158: 197–202

[38] Niu F , Huang M , Cai T , Meng L . Effect of membrane thickness on properties of FO membranes with nanofibrous substrate. IOP Conference Series. Earth and Environmental Science, 2018, 170(5): 052005

[39] Song X , Dong W , Zhang Y , Abdel-Ghafar H M , Toghan A , Jiang H . Coupling solar-driven interfacial evaporation with forward osmosis for continuous water treatment. Exploration, 2022, 2(4): 20220054

[40] Zhou Z , Hu Y , Boo C , Liu Z , Li J , Deng L , An X . High-performance thin-film composite membrane with an ultrathin spray-coated carbon nanotube interlayer. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 2018, 5(5): 243–248

[41] Song X , Zhou Q , Zhang T , Xu H , Wang Z . Pressure-assisted preparation of graphene oxide quantum dot-incorporated reverse osmosis membranes: antifouling and chlorine resistance potentials. Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2016, 4(43): 16896–16905

[42] Wang Q , Zhou Z , Li J , Tang Q , Hu Y . Modeling and measurement of temperature and draw solution concentration induced water flux increment efficiencies in the forward osmosis membrane process. Desalination, 2019, 452: 75–86

[43] Huang J , Xiong S , Long Q , Shen L , Wang Y . Evaluation of food additive sodium phytate as a novel draw solute for forward osmosis. Desalination, 2018, 448: 87–92

[44] Zhao W , Liu H , Liu Y , Jian M , Gao L , Wang H , Zhang X . Thin-film nanocomposite forward-osmosis membranes on hydrophilic microfiltration support with an intermediate layer of graphene oxide and multiwall carbon nanotube. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2018, 10(40): 34464–34474

[45] Han J C , Wang S F , Deng R , Wu Q Y . Polydopamine/imogolite nanotubes (PDA/INTs) interlayer modulated thin film composite forward osmosis membrane for minimizing internal concentration polarization. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2022, 40(10): 1233–1241

[46] Alfahel R , Azzam R S , Hafiz M , Hawari A H , Pandey R P , Mahmoud K A , Hassan M K , Elzatahry A A . Fabrication of fouling-resistant Ti₃C₂T_x (MXene)/cellulose acetate nanocomposite membrane for forward osmosis application. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 2020, 38: 101551

[47] Liu G , Han K , Ye H , Zhu C , Gao Y , Liu Y , Zhou Y . Graphene oxide/triethanolamine modified titanate nanowires as photocatalytic membrane for water treatment. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2017, 320: 74–80

[48] Huang Y , Jin H , Yu P , Luo Y . Polyamide thin-film composite membrane based on nano-silica modified polysulfone microporous support layer for forward osmosis. Desalination and Water Treatment, 2016, 57(43): 20177–20187

[49] Ohland A L , Salim V M M , Borges C P . Plasma functionalized hydroxyapatite incorporated in membranes for improved performance of osmotic processes. Desalination, 2019, 452: 87–93

[50] Niksefat N , Jahanshahi M , Rahimpour A . The effect of SiO₂ nanoparticles on morphology and performance of thin film composite membranes for forward osmosis application. Desalination, 2014, 343: 140–146

[51] Emadzadeh D , Lau W J , Matsuura T , Ismail A F , Rahbari-Sisakht M . Synthesis and characterization of thin film nanocomposite forward osmosis membrane with hydrophilic nanocomposite support to reduce internal concentration polarization. Journal of Membrane Science, 2014, 449: 74–85

[52] Ghanbari M , Emadzadeh D , Lau W J , Lai S O , Matsuura T , Ismail A F . Synthesis and characterization of novel thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes embedded with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) for water desalination. Desalination, 2015, 358: 33–41

[53] Zirehpour A , Rahimpour A , Seyedpour F , Jahanshahi M . Developing new CTA/CA-based membrane containing hydrophilic nanoparticles to enhance the forward osmosis desalination. Desalination, 2015, 371: 46–57

Competing Interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

This work has been carried out within the received fund through the CNR-ASRT (Italy-Egypt) 2022–2023 international Exchanges (project ID: 18775), and the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF), projects ID 41528 and 43224. We thank Prof. David A. Ladner (Clemson University, USA) for his assistance in SEM surface morphology and cross-section investigation of the membranes.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-024-2450-0 and is accessible for authorized users.

Funding Note

Open access funding provided by The Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) in cooperation with The Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB).

Open Access

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source. provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2024 The Author(s) 2024. This article is published with open access at link.springer.com and journal.hep.com.cn