Grand Challenges in Fabrication of Nanocomposite Hollow Fiber Membranes

Abstract

Membrane processes allow scalable and energy-efficient separation of gas and liquid, advance low-carbon purifications in various industrial and environmental applications and enable more resilient economy and society. In pursuit of developing more advanced membranes with continuously improved separating performances, nanofillers have been commonly incorporated into membranes to upgrade membrane properties such as mechanical robustness, antifouling ability, and permeability etc., across all types of popular membrane geometries from flat sheet and spiral wound to hollow fiber. Nanofillers inside hollow fibre membranes have received more attentions due to the unique structural advantages such as a large surface area/volume ratio and compact module designs. The resultant nanocomposite hollow fiber membranes thus combine the structural superiority with specific functions of nanomaterials such as superhydrophilicity or catalytic activity, whereas the development of dual layer hollow fiber membrane allowed further design of both the inner and outer membrane layers with innovative functions. On the other hand, greener and more environmentally friendly membranes fabrication are increasingly important to sustainable membrane technology, for example topics of using natural polymers, solvent free membrane fabrication and nano-pollutions are fervently investigated.