G-CNTs/PVDF mixed matrix membranes with improved antifouling properties and filtration performance

Abstract

A novel nanocomposite OMWCNT-A-GO was synthesized by conjugating OMWCNT and GO.

The P-OMWCNT-A-GO membrane was fabricated by non-solvent induced phase inversion.

The P-OMWCNT-A-GO exhibits the best water flux, BSA rejection and flux recovery.

It should be due to the enhanced membrane pore size, porosity and hydrophilicity.

Although carbon nanomaterials have been widely used as effective nanofillers for fabrication of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) with outstanding performances, the reproducibility of the fabricated MMMs is still hindered by the non-homogenous dispersion of these carbon nanofillers in membrane substrate. Herein, we report an effective way to improve the compatibility of carbon-based nanomaterials with membrane matrixes. By chemically conjugating the oxidized CNTs (o-CNTs) and GO using hexanediamine as cross-linker, a novel carbon nanohybrid material (G-CNTs) was synthesized, which inherited both the advanced properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene oxide (GO). The G-CNTs incorporated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) MMMs (G-CNTs/PVDF) were fabricated via a non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. The filtration and antifouling performances of G-CNTs/PVDF were evaluated using distillate water and a 1 g/L bovine serum albumin (BSA) aqueous solution under 0.10 MPa. Compared to the MMMs prepared with o-CNTs, GO, the physical mixture of o-CNTs and GO and pure PVDF membrane, the G-CNTs/PVDF membrane exhibited the highest water flux up to 220 L/m²/h and a flux recovery ratio as high as 90%, as well as the best BSA rejection rate. The excellent performances should be attributed to the increased membrane pore size, porosity and hydrophilicity of the resulted membrane. The successful synthesis of the novel nanohybrid G-CNTs provides a new type of nanofillers for MMMs fabrication.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

carbon nanotubes / graphene oxide / mixed matrix membrane / nanohybrid / antifouling membrane / membrane hydrophilicity

References

[1] Ao L, Liu W, Qiao Y, Li C, Wang X (2018). Comparison of membrane fouling in ultrafiltration of down-flow and up-flow biological activated carbon effluents. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 12(6): 9

[2] Awanis Hashim N, Liu F, Moghareh Abed M R, Li K (2012). Chemistry in spinning solutions: Surface modification of PVDF membranes during phase inversion. Journal of Membrane Science, 415–416: 399–411

[3] Ayyavoo J, Nguyen T P N, Jun B M, Kim I C, Kwon Y N (2016). Protection of polymeric membranes with antifouling surfacing via surface modifications. Colloids and Surfaces. A, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 506: 190–201

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

[5] Cui Z, Drioli E, Lee Y M (2014). Recent progress in fluoropolymers for membranes. Progress in Polymer Science, 39(1): 164–198

[6] Delgado J L, De La Cruz P, Urbina A, López Navarrete J T, Casado J, Langa F (2007). The first synthesis of a conjugated hybrid of C₆₀–fullerene and a single-wall carbon nanotube. Carbon, 45(11): 2250–2252

[7] Ding Q, Yamamura H, Murata N, Aoki N, Yonekawa H, Hafuka A, Watanabe Y (2016). Characteristics of meso-particles formed in coagulation process causing irreversible membrane fouling in the coagulation-microfiltration water treatment. Water Research, 101: 127–136

[8] Ding Y, Ma B, Liu H, Qu J (2019). Effects of protein properties on ultrafiltration membrane fouling performance in water treatment. Journal of Environmental Sciences (China), 77: 273–281

[9] Esfahani M R, Aktij S A, Dabaghian Z, Firouzjaei M D, Rahimpour A, Eke J, Escobar I C, Abolhassani M, Greenlee L F, Esfahani A R, Sadmani A, Koutahzadeh N (2019). Nanocomposite membranes for water separation and purification: Fabrication, modification, and applications. Separation and Purification Technology, 213: 465–499

[10] Fajardo A R, Lopes L C, Rubira A F, Muniz E C (2012). Development and application of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) films for removal and recovery of Pb(II). Chemical Engineering Journal, 183: 253–260

[11] Fontananova E, Grosso V, Aljlil S A, Bahattab M A, Vuono D, Nicoletta F P, Curcio E, Drioli E, Di Profio G (2017). Effect of functional groups on the properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polyvinylidenefluoride composite membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 541: 198–204

[12] Fornasiero F (2017). Water vapor transport in carbon nanotube membranes and application in breathable and protective fabrics. Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, 16: 1–8

[13] Hamad J Z, Dua R, Kurniasari N, Kennedy M D, Wang P, Amy G L (2014). Irreversible membrane fouling abatement through pre-deposited layer of hierarchical porous carbons. Water Research, 65: 245–256

[14] Han G, Zhang S, Li X, Chung T S (2015). Progress in pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) membranes for osmotic power generation. Progress in Polymer Science, 51: 1–27

[15] Holt J K, Park H G, Wang Y, Stadermann M, Artyukhin A B, Grigoropoulos C P, Noy A, Bakajin O (2006). Fast mass transport through sub-2-nanometer carbon nanotubes. Science, 312(5776): 1034–1037

[16] Hu K, Kulkarni D D, Choi I, Tsukruk V V (2014). Graphene-polymer nanocomposites for structural and functional applications. Progress in Polymer Science, 39(11): 1934–1972

[17] Huang G, Isfahani A P, Muchtar A, Sakurai K, Shrestha B B, Qin D, Yamaguchi D, Sivaniah E, Ghalei B (2018a). Pebax/ionic liquid modified graphene oxide mixed matrix membranes for enhanced CO₂ capture. Journal of Membrane Science, 565: 370–379

[18] Huang S, Ras R H A, Tian X (2018b). Antifouling membranes for oily wastewater treatment: Interplay between wetting and membrane fouling. Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science, 36: 90–109

[19] Ihsanullah (2019). Carbon nanotube membranes for water purification: Developments, challenges, and prospects for the future. Separation and Purification Technology, 209: 307–337

[20] Inurria A, Cay-Durgun P, Rice D, Zhang H, Seo D K, Lind M L, Perreault F (2019). Polyamide thin-film nanocomposite membranes with graphene oxide nanosheets: Balancing membrane performance and fouling propensity. Desalination, 451: 139–147

[21] Kang G D, Cao Y M (2012). Development of antifouling reverse osmosis membranes for water treatment: A review. Water Research, 46(3): 584–600

[22] Khairuddin N F M, Idris A, Hock L W (2019). Harvesting Nannochloropsis sp. using PES/MWCNT/LiBr membrane with good antifouling properties. Separation and Purification Technology, 212: 1–11

[23] Koulivand H, Shahbazi A, Vatanpour V (2019). Fabrication and characterization of a high-flux and antifouling polyethersulfone membrane for dye removal by embedding Fe₃O₄-MDA nanoparticles. Chemical Engineering Research & Design, 145: 64–75

[24] Kwon B, Park N, Cho J (2010). Effects of a dynamic membrane formed with polyethylene glycol on the ultrafiltration of natural organic matter. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 4(2): 172–182

[25] Lalia B S, Kochkodan V, Hashaikeh R, Hilal N (2013). A review on membrane fabrication: Structure, properties and performance relationship. Desalination, 326: 77–95

[26] Le-Clech P, Chen V, Fane T A G (2006). Fouling in membrane bioreactors used in wastewater treatment. Journal of Membrane Science, 284(1): 17–53

[27] Li C, Guo X, Wang X, Fan S, Zhou Q, Shao H, Hu W, Li C, Tong L, Kumar R R, Huang J (2018). Membrane fouling mitigation by coupling applied electric field in membrane system: Configuration, mechanism and performance. Electrochimica Acta, 287: 124–134

[28] Li D, Yan Y, Wang H (2016). Recent advances in polymer and polymer composite membranes for reverse and forward osmosis processes. Progress in Polymer Science, 61: 104–155

[29] Li S, Liao G, Liu Z, Pan Y, Wu Q, Weng Y, Zhang X, Yang Z, Tsui O K C (2014). Enhanced water flux in vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays and polyethersulfone composite membranes. Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2(31): 12171–12176

[30] Li X, Sotto A, Li J, Van Der Bruggen B (2017). Progress and perspectives for synthesis of sustainable antifouling composite membranes containing in situ generated nanoparticles. Journal of Membrane Science, 524: 502–528

[31] Liao Y, Bokhary A, Maleki E, Liao B (2018a). A review of membrane fouling and its control in algal-related membrane processes. Bioresource Technology, 264: 343–358

[32] Liao Y, Loh C H, Tian M, Wang R, Fane A G (2018b). Progress in electrospun polymeric nanofibrous membranes for water treatment: Fabrication, modification and applications. Progress in Polymer Science, 77: 69–94

[33] Majumder M, Chopra N, Andrews R, Hinds B J (2005). Nanoscale hydrodynamics: Enhanced flow in carbon nanotubes. Nature, 438(7064): 44–44

[34] Meng F, Zhang S, Oh Y, Zhou Z, Shin H S, Chae S R (2017). Fouling in membrane bioreactors: An updated review. Water Research, 114: 151–180

[35] Punetha V D, Rana S, Yoo H J, Chaurasia A, Mcleskey J T Jr, Ramasamy M S, Sahoo N G, Cho J W (2017). Functionalization of carbon nanomaterials for advanced polymer nanocomposites: A comparison study between CNT and graphene. Progress in Polymer Science, 67: 1–47

[36] Qasim M, Darwish N N, Mhiyo S, Darwish N A, Hilal N (2018). The use of ultrasound to mitigate membrane fouling in desalination and water treatment. Desalination, 443: 143–164

[37] She Q, Wang R, Fane A G, Tang C Y (2016). Membrane fouling in osmotically driven membrane processes: A review. Journal of Membrane Science, 499: 201–233

[38] Tijing L D, Woo Y C, Choi J S, Lee S, Kim S H, Shon H K (2015). Fouling and its control in membrane distillation: A review. Journal of Membrane Science, 475: 215–244

[39] Vatanpour V, Madaeni S S, Moradian R, Zinadini S, Astinchap B (2011). Fabrication and characterization of novel antifouling nanofiltration membrane prepared from oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyethersulfone nanocomposite. Journal of Membrane Science, 375(1): 284–294

[40] Wang J, Gao X, Yu H, Wang Q, Ma Z, Li Z, Zhang Y, Gao C (2019a). Accessing of graphene oxide (GO) nanofiltration membranes for microbial and fouling resistance. Separation and Purification Technology, 215: 91–101

[41] Wang S, Li T, Chen C, Liu B, Crittende J C (2018). PVDF ultrafiltration membranes of controlled performance via blending PVDF-g-PEGMA copolymer synthesized under different reaction times. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 12(2): 3

[42] Wang X, Feng M, Liu Y, Deng H, Lu J (2019b). Fabrication of graphene oxide blended polyethersulfone membranes via phase inversion assisted by electric field for improved separation and antifouling performance. Journal of Membrane Science, 577: 41–50

[43] Wang X, Zhou M, Meng X, Wang L, Huang D (2016). Effect of protein on PVDF ultrafiltration membrane fouling behavior under different pH conditions: Interface adhesion force and XDLVO theory analysis. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 10(4): 12

[44] Wenzel R N (1936). Resistance of Solid Surfaces to Wetting by Water. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry, 28(8): 988–994

[45] Yang D, Cheng C, Bao M, Chen L, Bao Y, Xue C (2019). The pervaporative membrane with vertically aligned carbon nanotube nanochannel for enhancing butanol recovery. Journal of Membrane Science, 577: 51–59

[46] Zhang G, Zhou M, Xu Z, Jiang C, Shen C, Meng Q (2019). Guanidyl-functionalized graphene/polysulfone mixed matrix ultrafiltration membrane with superior permselective, antifouling and antibacterial properties for water treatment. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 540: 295–305

[47] Zhang J, Xu Z, Mai W, Min C, Zhou B, Shan M, Li Y, Yang C, Wang Z, Qian X (2013a). Improved hydrophilicity, permeability, antifouling and mechanical performance of PVDF composite ultrafiltration membranes tailored by oxidized low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials. Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 1(9): 3101–3111

[48] Zhang J, Xu Z, Shan M, Zhou B, Li Y, Li B, Niu J, Qian X (2013b). Synergetic effects of oxidized carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide on fouling control and anti-fouling mechanism of polyvinylidene fluoride ultrafiltration membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 448: 81–92

[49] Zhao F, Chu H, Zhang Y, Jiang S, Yu Z, Zhou X, Zhao J (2017). Increasing the vibration frequency to mitigate reversible and irreversible membrane fouling using an axial vibration membrane in microalgae harvesting. Journal of Membrane Science, 529: 215–223

[50] Zhao J, Yang Y, Li C, Hou L A (2019). Fabrication of GO modified PVDF membrane for dissolved organic matter removal: Removal mechanism and antifouling property. Separation and Purification Technology, 209: 482–490

[51] Zhao J, Zhao X, Jiang Z, Li Z, Fan X, Zhu J, Wu H, Su Y, Yang D, Pan F, Shi J (2014). Biomimetic and bioinspired membranes: Preparation and application. Progress in Polymer Science, 39(9): 1668–1720

[52] Zhao X, Zhang R, Liu Y, He M, Su Y, Gao C, Jiang Z (2018). Antifouling membrane surface construction: Chemistry plays a critical role. Journal of Membrane Science, 551: 145–171

[53] Zinadini S, Zinatizadeh A A, Rahimi M, Vatanpour V, Zangeneh H (2014). Preparation of a novel antifouling mixed matrix PES membrane by embedding graphene oxide nanoplates. Journal of Membrane Science, 453: 292–301

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature