Chapter 21 - Hollow fibers for nanofiltration/organic solvent nanofiltration

Abstract

Hollow fiber nanofiltration (NF) and organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) membranes have been receiving increased attention owing to their outstanding capability in molecular separation and advantages in reducing energy consumption. To obtain high separation accuracy, permeability, and long-term durability under harsh environments, many strategies have been developed by researchers to improve their performance ranging from selective layer design to substrate optimization. This chapter gives a comprehensive overview of the fabrication methods and applications of hollow fiber NF and OSN membranes. After a brief introduction to the NF and the separation mechanisms, the common fabrication techniques such as direct phase inversion, interfacial polymerization, cross-linking, deposition, and grafting are discussed in detail. By designing the structure and surface properties, the hollow fibers exhibit vast application potentials in aqueous systems including removal of hazardous chemicals, treatment of industrial wastewater and solvent systems.