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

Mohamed Elmarghany,Mohamed Nabil Sabry,Norhan Nady,Saeid Rajabzadeh,Hideto Matsuyama,Mahmoud A Shouman,Mohamed S Salem,Ahmed H El-Shazly

doi:10.3390/membranes10010015

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.

Highlights

IntroductionWater is an unlimited renewable resource that is distributed on earth in liquid, solid, and vapor forms through a closed cycle (cyclo-hydrological) powered by the energy of the sun
Water is an unlimited renewable resource that is distributed on earth in liquid, solid, and vapor forms through a closed cycle powered by the energy of the sun
PES/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) showed very low liquid entry pressure (LEP) that made it very difficult to apply for Membrane Distillation (MD) application

Summary

Introduction

Water is an unlimited renewable resource that is distributed on earth in liquid, solid, and vapor forms through a closed cycle (cyclo-hydrological) powered by the energy of the sun. No life on our blue planet is possible. 3% of all the water on the earth is available as potable water [1]. The need for freshwater has visibly increased during the past few years all Membranes 2020, 10, 15; doi:10.3390/membranes10010015 www.mdpi.com/journal/membranes. Membranes 2020, 10, 15 over the world [2]. Desalination, which is a process of removing the salts present in water, represents the primary alternative source for freshwater. Typical thermal-based desalination techniques use intense energy and require considerable space and expensive equipment. Membrane-based desalination processes are preferred [3]

Methods

Results

Conclusion