Triple-Layer Nanocomposite Membrane Prepared by Electrospinning Based on Modified PES with Carbon Nanotubes for Membrane Distillation Applications

Abstract

In this work, a novel triple-layer nanocomposite membrane prepared with polyethersulfone (PES)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the primary bulk material and poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoro propylene) (PcH)/CNTs as the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane by using electrospinning method is introduced. Modified PES with CNTs was chosen as the bulk material of the triple-layer membrane to obtain a high porosity membrane. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the triple-layer membrane were coated with PcH/CNTs using electrospinning to get a triple-layer membrane with high total porosity and noticeable surface hydrophobicity. Combining both characteristics, next to an acceptable bulk hydrophobicity, resulted in a compelling membrane for membrane distillation (MD) applications. The prepared membrane was utilized in a direct contact MD system, and its performance was evaluated in different salt solution concentrations, feed velocities and feed solution temperatures. The results of the prepared membrane in this study were compared to those reported in previously published papers. Based on the evaluated membrane performance, the triple-layer nanocomposite membrane can be considered as a potential alternative with reasonable cost, relative to other MD membranes.

Recent Developments in Nanomaterials-Modified Membranes for Improved Membrane Distillation Performance

“…Carbon nanotubes are allotropes of carbon possessing a hexagonal lattice rolled up in a hollow cylindrical structure [ 93 ]. They have diameters ranging from 1 to 100 nm and up to a few millimeters in length, which may result in increased permeability within composite membranes [ 94 ]. CNTs are widely classified based on the number of sheet layers of graphene used for manufacture, i.e., single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) and CNTs with multiple walls (MWCNTs) [ 95 ].…”

Progress on the Fabrication and Application of Electrospun Nanofiber Composites

“…Elmarghany et al utilized this design and strategy to prepare porous nanocomposite with PES–CNTs as the middle layer, and both sides were coated with electrospun PVDF–HFP copolymer incorporated with CNTs (PVDF–HFP/CNTs) [ 86 ]. The results showed that compared to single PVDF–HFP/CNT layer nanofiber membrane, the DCMD performance has enhanced due to the porous middle layer [ 86 ].…”

“…Elmarghany et al utilized this design and strategy to prepare porous nanocomposite with PES–CNTs as the middle layer, and both sides were coated with electrospun PVDF–HFP copolymer incorporated with CNTs (PVDF–HFP/CNTs) [ 86 ]. The results showed that compared to single PVDF–HFP/CNT layer nanofiber membrane, the DCMD performance has enhanced due to the porous middle layer [ 86 ]. Shirzad Kebria et al [ 87 ] fabricated a hydrophobic electrospun nanofiber membrane produced from polycondensation reaction of hydroxyl groups and carboxyl groups of boehmite and nitrilotriacetic for air gap MD (AGMD) application.…”

Numerical Investigation of Fabricated MWCNTs/Polystyrene Nanofibrous Membrane for DCMD

“…Electrospinning technique proved to produce nanofibrous membranes from PS and other polymeric materials with controlled fiber diameters and morphology, high porosity, and relatively high hydrophobicity making it a very good candidate for MD application [ 21 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Electroblowing technique was also reported for fabrication of hydrophobic nanofibrous mats from PS for DCMD [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. Table 1 presents PS membrane systems reported in literature for DCMD application for water desalination.…”