Inorganic nanoparticles incorporated in polyacrylonitrile‐based mixed matrix membranes for hydrophilic, ultrafast, and fouling‐resistant ultrafiltration

Abstract

Mixed matrix membrane (MMM) structures and performances are greatly affected by the distribution of nanoparticles in the polymeric matrix. Until now, there has been little research on the effects of nanoparticle distribution states on polyacrylonitrile (PAN)‐based MMM structures and performances. In this paper, different intermolecular interactions between nanoparticles and PAN molecules were generated by in situ fabricated amino‐functionalized SiO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles to create absolutely different distribution states of nanoparticles in a PAN matrix. The results indicated that, due to the strong interactions between amino and cyano groups, SiO2 is distributed in the PAN membranes homogeneously, while most of the TiO2 migrates to the membrane's top surfaces or the walls of pores or even escape from the membranes during the nonsolvent index phase separation (NIPS) process. PAN‐TiO2 MMMs have more hydrophilic top surfaces, higher porosity, larger mean pore size, and stronger antifouling performances than pure PAN and PAN‐SiO2 membranes. The PAN‐TiO2 MMMs have an ultrahigh water flux of 1204.6 L/(m2 h), which is more than 44 times that of PAN membranes. And the good pore structures and hydrophilicity of the membranes derived from special interactions between in situ TiO2 nanoparticles and PAN molecules can give high‐performance PAN‐based ultrafiltration membranes a bright future. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47902.

An Artificial Polyacrylonitrile Coating Layer Confining Zinc Dendrite Growth for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc‐Based Batteries

“…It should be noted that the smaller contact angle of PAN@Zn than that of the bare Zn can be ascribed to the spreading of water on the PAN membrane. [ 77 ] The PANZ membrane exhibits a high ionic conductivity (2.4 mS cm −1 , Figure S2D, Supporting Information), which is similar to the previously reported, [ 78 ] indicating the fast Zn 2+ transport through the PANZ layer. The better wettability facilitates the even distribution of zinc‐ion flux on the zinc's surface during cycling, which reduces the ions’ motion resistance and promotes uniform zinc electrodeposition.…”

First Exploration on a Poly(vinyl chloride) Ultrafiltration Membrane Prepared by Using the Sustainable Green Solvent PolarClean

“…This result is rationalized with the fact that M1 and M8 had the highest values of pore density (4.8 × 10 13 m −2 and 3.5 × 10 13 m −2 ) and surface porosity (2.98% and 2.02%) among all membranes, which promoted the achievement of high water permeability, as also reported by previous studies. 71,73,82,83 By adding amphiphilic additives PVC-g-PEGMA, the antifouling properties were enhanced to a great extent and membranes retained high SA rejection rates, but the presence of the amphiphilic polymer resulted in lower pure water permeability of the membrane. To overcome this problem, a nonwoven PET may be used as support layer to increase the surface porosity and thus the permeability.…”

Nanofiltration Composite Membranes Based on KIT-6 and Functionalized KIT-6 Nanoparticles in a Polymeric Matrix with Enhanced Performances

“…Moreover, the functionalization of these nanoparticles increases their dispersion and the hydrophilic characteristics of the membrane. As well, the previous studies demonstrated that inorganic nanoparticles such as silica (SiO 2 ) [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], zeolites [ 15 , 16 ], metal oxide (Al 2 O 3 , TiO 2 , ZnO) [ 15 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], and carbon nanotubes [ 23 , 24 ] could improve the hydrophilicity of the modified polymer hydrophobic membranes. Silica nanoparticles have chemical compatible and the mechanical stability needed for preparation of polymeric membrane, and their structure can be changed by chemical functionalization [ 25 ].…”