This work focuses on the extension of group parameters of the UNIFAC model to systems with ionic liquids. The new group parameters for ionic liquids were obtained by means of correlating the activity coefficients of solutes at infinite dilution in ionic liquids at different temperatures. The group parameters for 12 main groups and 24 subgroups were added into the current UNIFAC parameter matrix. It was verified that the new group parameters can be used not only for predicting the vapor-liquid equilibria of the systems with ionic liquids at finite concentration, but also for screening the suitable ionic liquids in separation processes. Since there have been only a limited number of functional groups for ionic liquids included in the UNIFAC model, the future development of this predictive model will still require much more accurate experimental data.

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-oxidized carbon nanotubes (OMWCNTs), PVDF-graphene oxide (GO) and PVDF-OMWCNTs-GO composite ultrafiltration membranes were prepared by solution-blending the ternary mixture of PVDF-oxidized low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials-dimethylacetamide in combination with the phase inversion method. The microscope images of the PVDF matrix microstructure showed that the composite membranes exhibited a bigger mean pore size and higher roughness parameters than pristine membranes. The contact angle of the membranes decreased from 78.5 (PVDF) to 66.8 (PVDF-OMWCNTs), 66.4 (PVDF-GO) and 48.5 (PVDF-OMWCNTs-GO). For the PVDF-OMWCNTs, PVDF-GO and PVDF-OMWCNTs-GO composite membranes, there was a 99.33%, 173.03% and 240.03% increase in permeation flux and a 21.71%, 17.23% and 14.29% increase in bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection, respectively, compared with those of the pristine membranes.The newly developed composite ultrafiltration membranes demonstrate an impressive prospect for the anti-irreversible fouling performance in multi-cycle operations from BSA treatment. Additionally, the addition of OMWCNTs and GO increased the tensile strength of composite membranes from 1.866 MPa to 2.106 MPa and 2.686 MPa, respectively. Conspicuously, the PVDF composite ultrafiltration membranes endowed with oxidized low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials demonstrated fascinating hydrophilicity, permeability, antifouling and mechanical performance and promising application prospects owing to the rich oxygen-containing functional groups, high specific surface and synergistic effect of inorganic additive.

Reducing sodium in processed foods, the major public health strategy in Western countries, may be less effective in China, where salt intake remains high. Replacing sodium with potassium in salt to control and prevent hypertension in China should be considered along with other public health and clinical prevention options.

No abstract

No abstract