Nanocomposite Membranes Research Articles

Thin film nanocomposite membrane ornamented with Z-scheme heterojunction carbon dot/NiFe–LDH for removal of organic contaminants from industrial wastewater

Removal of organics from wastewater is a tedious process and industries are looking for a facile, energy efficient strategy of wastewater treatment for producing clean water and recycling. Membrane technology is one of the efficient processes for wastewater treatment due to its energy efficient nature, simple operation and excellent performance. But, proneness of membrane fouling often limits its path to triumph. In this work, we have designed a ‘carbon dot/NiFe-layered double hydroxide (CD/NiFe–LDH)’ nanocomposite via in situ approach, which is coated on a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and cellulose based superhydrophillic membrane. The membrane is found to have excellent separation efficiency. The photocatalytic activity of CD/NiFe–LDH shows high oxidative degradation of the accumulated organics contaminants on the membrane surface providing self-cleaning ability and hence enhances the membrane’s lifetime. The membrane exhibits stable performance for 30 days continuous operation under UV-A light. The membrane flux is found to be ∼42 Lm−2 h−1 and 48 Lm−2 h−1 for crude oil–water emulsion and phenol respectively while rejection around ≥99 % is obtained for the both. The flux recovery ratio (FRR) of the post photo irradiated membrane is found to be 88.07 %. The membrane also shows organic solvent resistance property and prevents bacterial pathogens in wastewater.

Controllable Design of Polyamide Composite Membrane Separation Layer Structures via Metal-Organic Frameworks: A Review.

Optimizing the structure of the polyamide (PA) layer to improve the separation performance of PA thin-film composite (TFC) membranes has always been a hot topic in the field of membrane preparation. As novel crystalline materials with high porosity, multi-functional groups, and good compatibility with membrane substrate, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been introduced in the past decade for the modification of the PA structure in order to break through the separation trade-off between permeability and selectivity. This review begins by summarizing the recent progress in the control of MOF-based thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane structures. The review also covers different strategies used for preparing TFN membranes. Additionally, it discusses the mechanisms behind how these strategies regulate the structure and properties of PA. Finally, the design of a competent MOF material that is suitable to reach the requirements for the fabrication of TFN membranes is also discussed. The aim of this paper is to provide key insights into the precise control of TFN-PA structures based on MOFs.

Antifouling ultrafiltration membranes based on acrylic fibers waste/nanochitosan for Congo red and crystal violet removal

AbstractIn this study, acrylic fibers waste blended with different ratios of nanochitosan (0.5%, 1%, 2% and 4%, in weight) were converted into antifouling ultrafiltration nanocomposite membranes using a phase separation technique for the remediation of Congo red (CR) and crystal violet (CV) dyes from water. The fabricated nanocomposite membranes were investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The membrane hydrophilicity was estimated using contact angle measurements, which revealed that the 4% loaded nanochitosan had the highest hydrophilicity. Additionally, the water uptake, porosity, water contact angle and water flux of the nanocomposite membranes were assessed. The membrane filtration performances were explored for the removal of CR and CV as anionic and cationic dyes, respectively, at different concentrations and various applied pressures (1 bar to 4 bar). The experimental data revealed a high rejection (R) performance for CR (R≃100%) with a high water flux of about 150 L/(m2·h) to 183 L/(m2·h) for the optimized membrane with 2% nanochitosan at an applied pressure of 4 bar. The rejection for CV showed a variant rejection (70%–99%) at different dye concentrations with fluxes ranging from 93.6 L/(m2·h) to 149.5 L/(m2·h) for the same composite membrane. The composite membrane showed enhanced flux recovery after fouling by bovine serum albumin and was resistant to widespread gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Graphical abstract

Silicon quantum dot-enhanced thin-film nanocomposite membranes for efficient alcohol dehydration via pervaporation: A sustainable approach

This study explores the effectiveness of silicon quantum dots (SiQDs)—specifically, amine-functionalized (NSiQDs) and amine-hydroxyl-functionalized (NOSiQDs)—in optimizing thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes for pervaporation dehydration of various alcohols. The SiQDs were integrated into the membranes via an innovative interfacial polymerization technique, involving the dispersion of SiQDs in an aqueous amine solution followed by polymerization with trimesoyl chloride. This approach ensured uniform integration of SiQDs, significantly enhancing the nanostructure and surface characteristics of the membranes. Such modifications led to improved water transport capabilities, substantially boosting pervaporation efficiency. Exceptional performance was demonstrated by the TFN-NOSiQDs(400) membranes, which achieved a peak permeation flux of 4195.8 g·m−2·h−1 and maintained over 99 wt% water concentration in the permeate when tested with a 70 wt% isopropanol/water solution at 25°C. Comprehensive long-term stability assessments confirmed the robustness and consistent functionality of the membranes, highlighting their suitability for industrial applications that demand reliable and efficient alcohol separation processes.

Versatile performance of hydrophilic PVDF/CuO nanocomposite membranes for TDS removal in RO reject

ABSTRACT In the current study, by using the phase inversion process, PVDF/CuO nanocompositmembranes with diversified concentrations of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles were fabricated to reduce the TDS in RO reject. Consequently, compared to pure PVDF membrane, the hydrophilicity of PVDF membrane bearing 2 wt% of chemically synthesized CuO nanoparticles is higher. This was justified through the contact angle which diminished from 110.9° to 58.2°. The improved hydrophilicity, porosity, and pore size are the vital drivers for the fabricated nanocomposite membranes to exhibit an 81% surge in pure water flux and a 75% rise in permeate flux. Fouling of PVDF/CuO nanocomposite membranes was mitigated by incorporating CuO nanoparticles, decreasing the surface roughness. The antifouling capabilities of the fabricated nanocomposite membranes are enhanced by a higher flux recovery ratio of 97.28. Additionally, the outcomes demonstrated that the nanocomposite membrane performs better in TDS removal, with 89% efficiency in RO reject. Thus, the PVDF/CuO nanocomposite membrane has great prospects in applications necessitating the filtration process.

Impact of titanium dioxide/graphene in polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposite membrane to intensify methylene blue dye removal, antifouling performance, and reusability

AbstractThe development of efficient water purification technologies is a critical research focus driven by the crucial role of clean water sources for ecological sustainability. This study explores the strategic incorporation of nanoparticles within polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes as a promising approach to enhance membrane performance for wastewater remediation. PVDF membranes containing varying ratios of graphene (GR) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposites were fabricated via phase inversion method. Characterization techniques including XRD, FTIR, and FESEM‐EDX revealed that the 80% GR nanocomposite membrane exhibited desirable structural and functional properties with pronounced sponge‐like morphology and homogenous nanoparticle distribution. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and x‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed the 80% GR membrane retained PVDF crystallinity while uniquely eliminating TiO2 crystallinity. Subsequently, performance testing demonstrated the 80% GR nanocomposite membrane had the highest water flux and methylene blue dye rejection rates compared to other ratios and the pristine PVDF membrane. Both fabricated membranes exhibited sufficient reusability and antifouling properties. However, 80% GR ratio exhibited superior antifouling properties, indicating its potential as an optimal material for improving membrane hydrophilicity and overall water purification technologies. These findings underscore the strategic utility of GR‐TiO2 nanocomposites for enhancing PVDF membrane performance in sustainable wastewater treatment applications.

Ultra-fast molecular sieving in ZIF-67 and cellulose nanofibers based thin-film nanocomposite membrane

Membranes based on two-dimensional (2D) materials often show great separation efficiency and therefore have great potential in the treatment of dye wastewater. However, improving the water flux of 2D material-based membranes remains a challenge. In this work, 2D ZIF-67/CNF membranes were prepared on a polyether sulfone (PES) support layer via a simple extraction filtration method. The added CNF intertwined with 2D ZIF-67 nanosheets and formed an interlocked stacked laminar flow structure, which improved both the water flux and stability of the thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes. The optimized membrane showed a water flux of 357.8 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, and its rejections of four dyes (Direct Red 80, Methyl Blue, Alkali Blue 6B and Congo Red) were all above 99.8 %. Furthermore, the optimized membrane maintained a rejection of 97 % after 8 h of continuous operation, indicating that the facile mixing of nanofibers into nanosheets can be considered a promising strategy for preparing TFN membranes for dye wastewater treatment.

Lithium Chloride-Mediated enhancement of dye removal capacity in Borneo bamboo derived nanocellulose-based nanocomposite membranes (NCMs)

Demand for sustainable materials for membrane fabrication is rapidly increasing, particularly in Sarawak coastal areas. nanocellulose emerges as a promising alternative for membrane development due to its availability, intrinsic biodegradability, and high strength. However, the hydrophobicity of nanocellulose limits its applicability in water treatment operations. Hence necessitating the need for innovative solutions. Herein, we examine the potential of bamboo-derived nanocellulose to enhance nanocomposite membrane-based water treatment systems by incorporating lithium chloride as a pore-forming additive. Nanocomposite membranes (NCMs) were synthesised using a LiCl-doped solution of nanocellulose and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) through phase inversion and controlled solidification methods. The results show that nanocellulose incorporation induces structural alterations in NCMs, with reduced size in cellulose microfibrils. The crystallinity of nanocellulose was enhanced through interactions between PVDF and nanocellulose. The integration of nanocellulose along with lithium chloride was observed to have a significant impact on water permeation flux, attaining 104 L/m2h due to improved hydrophobicity and reduced fouling. In addition, the developed NCMs recorded 93 % methylene blue (MB) removal within 10 min. Revealing high potential of NCMs as an alternative and sustainable material for the development of nanocomposite membranes to mitigate contemporary challenges of water scarcity.

Forward osmosis membrane with lightweight functionalised multiwall carbon nanotube nanofillers

ABSTRACT Thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes with a polyamide (PA) active layer modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) hold promise for water desalination and wastewater reuse via forward osmosis (FO). We hypothesise that modifying the PA active layer with hydroxyl-functionalised multi-wall carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) will enhance the water flux of the FO membrane while maximising salt rejection. TFN membranes were modified using in situ interfacial polymerisation, with varying f-MWCNT mass content to minimise agglomeration. These modified FO membranes are designated as CTFN-x, where x represents the mass content of f-MWCNTs, ranging from 0.001%, CTFN-1 to 0.008%, CTFN-8 (w/v). The surface properties of CTFN-x were characterised using electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and molecular spectroscopy. IR spectroscopic data confirm the successful adherence of f-MWCNTs as a bridging agent between the 1,3-phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) polymers, preserving FO membrane integrity. The CTFN-4 FO membrane shows the highest water flux (29 LMH) and the lowest reverse salt flux (2.90 gHM), attributed to preferential water flow channels in the f-MWCNTs. The integration of f-MWCNTs into the active layer improved water flux, reduced reverse salt flux, and enhanced the antifouling properties of FO membranes.

Bio-metal organic framework functionalized nanofibers as efficient proton-conducting for proton exchange membrane

A membrane with a low methanol permeability and high proton conductivity (σp) is essential for the effective operation of a direct methanol-based fuel cell. Herein, a bio-metal organic framework was prepared with natural α-amino acids as ligands and then combined with hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers (AA-MOF@PAN). The resulting nanocomposite membranes were subsequently integrated into a Nafion matrix (AA-MOF@PAN/Nafion). The –NH2 groups on AA-MOF@PAN interact with –SO3H groups on Nafion, forming long-range acid-base pairs along the interface between the matrix and nanofibers. This interaction creates abundant proton-conducting sites for proton exchange membrane. Notably, the AA-MOF@PAN-4h/Nafion membrane demonstrated an exceptional proton conductivity (σp) of 0.25 S cm−1 and a higher power density of 117.61 mW cm−2 compared to the recast Nafion membrane. This study offers valuable insights into the three-dimensional ordered design of a natural α-amino acids as a proton transfer sites and highlighting their potential applications in proton exchange membranes.

Novel wastepaper nanocellulose/chitosan‐based nanocomposite membrane for effective removal of the textile dye Congo red from aqueous solution

AbstractDevelopment of a cost‐effective and environmentally friendly method to treat dye wastewater is of utmost importance. In this experimental study, wastepaper was used as the raw material for the extraction of cellulose nanocrystals to fabricate a nanocomposite membrane with chitosan. During the extraction process, acid hydrolysis (Sulfuric acid) followed by bleaching (hydrogen peroxide) was adopted. To confirm the nano‐range, particle size analysis, and FESEM were performed, which confirmed the presence of particles in the nano‐range ranging from 313.8 to 122.1 nm and FESEM observed results showed transformation of fibrous to rod shaped nanocrystals after acid hydrolysis. After successful nanocomposite fabrication a porous sieved network of membrane was observed and after adsorption successful adhesion of dye molecules over the membrane matrix was also confirmed. FTIR data showed that during adsorption mechanism some of the prominent peaks gets disappeared suggest interaction of dye molecules onto the nanocomposite. The contact angle of 21.0° was observed for the ChNC3 nanocomposite showed super hydrophilic behavior. Tensile strength was also observed in terms of young's modulus, ultimate strength, and elongation at break. The elasticity and stiffness of a material are usually indicated by its young modulus. In AH CNCs and ChNC3, the young modulus was seen to be increasing from 195< 693, respectively. On the other hand, the ultimate strength indicates AH CNCs and ChNC3 and shows a downward trend of 1.56> 0.316, respectively. Furthermore, the potentiality of the nanocomposite membrane was analyzed for Congo red dye in synthetic wastewater prepared in the laboratory. During the batch study, various working parameters were taken such as initial dye solution (20–100 ppm), pH (1–7), contact time (10–60 min), and dosage (0.1–0.5 mg/L). To know about adsorption, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm were analyzed it was observed that Freundlich isotherm show best fitted modeling with R2 = 0.99, and n = 1.6 showing favorability of the heterogeneous adsorption. To determine the interaction between the adsorbate and adsorbent, pseudo first order and pseudo second order kinetics models were analyzed, and it was observed that chemisorption interaction followed between the adsorbate and adsorbent. Thermodynamic parameters were analyzed, which confirmed the spontaneous and favorable adsorption mechanism. To avoid fouling problems and maintain cost effectiveness, the resulting, nanocomposite membrane was desorbed using an appropriate solvent. After 5 cycles, the desorption rate decreased from 54% to 38%. This developed nanocomposite membrane appears to be effective in effluent waste treatment because of its simple formulation approach.

Cross-linked copolyimide-P84/CAU-10-H/branched polyethyleneimine membranes for organic solvent nanofiltration

The advancement of organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) is often hindered by the inherent trade-off between permeance and rejection. In this study, we present a novel nanocomposite mixed matrix membrane (MMM) fabricated by integrating a compatible metal–organic framework (CAU-10-H) into a co-polyimide (P84) matrix. The resulting P84/CAU-10-H membrane was cross-linked using branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) to produce a P84/CAU-10-H/PEI MMM with robust resistance to harsh organic solvents, making it suitable for OSN applications. The integration of CAU-10-H, PEI, and P84 significantly enhanced the OSN performance, improving sieving efficiency and reducing fouling tendencies. The fabricated membrane exhibited outstanding permeance across various solvents, with values of 42.4, 45.4, 24.5, and 27.1 LMH/bar for methanol, acetone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), respectively. Besides, the P84/CAU-10-H/PEI MMM demonstrated excellent rejection (Brilliant yellow (BY) > 90 %, Congo red (CR), Methyl blue (MB), Evans blue (EB), and Alcian blue (AB) > 99 %, respectively). In a 96-hour long-term test, the membrane demonstrated excellent stability and anti-fouling properties. This study presents a facile and viable approach for designing and constructing novel OSN MMMs.

Constructing multiple capture domains in molecularly imprinted nanocomposite membranes by flower-like covalent organic framework for separation of acteoside

The selective separation of bioactive components by molecularly imprinted nanocomposite membranes (MINMs) has attracted widespread attention, but the traditional MINMs often were confronted with low rebinding capacity. Herein, the flower-like covalent organic framework (FL-COF) based-molecularly imprinted nanocomposite membranes (FMINMs) with multiple capture domains were developed for separation of acteoside (ACT). The multiple capture domains of FMINMs were constructed by the following three different domains: Firstly, the imprinted layer of FMINMs constructed the imprinted capture domain for specific capture of ACT, improving separation performance of FMINMs for ACT. Secondly, the amino groups on the surface of petals of FL-COF formed affinity capture domain to enrich ACT during the adsorption process, enhancing rebinding capacity and permselectivity of FMINMs for ACT. Thirdly, the hollow structure of FL-COF provided a large spatial capture domain for accommodating ACT, thus enhancing the rebinding capacity of FMINMs. Consequently, the FMINMs with multiple capture domains exhibited high separation performance with rebinding capacity (141.47 mg/g) and permselectivity (βECH/ACT=8.25) of ACT. It demonstrated that designed MINMs with multiple capture domains has great potential for efficient separation of bioactive components.

Phosphomolybdic acid functionalized nano silica for enhanced anti-biofouling effect in polymer electrolyte membranes for microbial fuel cell application

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a promising technology for simultaneous electricity generation and wastewater treatment. In this study, a single-chambered MFC was fabricated utilizing a novel polymer electrolyte membrane synthesized from sulfonated polyether ether ketone grafted with styrene sulfonic acid (SPEEK/SSA) as the base polymer, and silica decorated with phosphomolybdic acid (SPMA) as a functionalized nanofiller. Various concentrations of SPMA (2.5 %, 5 %, 7.5 %, and 10 %) were incorporated into the SPEEK/SSA membranes and characterized physicochemically. The SPEEK/SSA membrane with 5 wt% SPMA demonstrated the highest proton conductivity (3.75×10−2 S cm−1) and ion exchange capacity (1.68 meq g−1). This PEM also exhibited superior tensile strength (20 MPa) and excellent chemical durability, as evidenced by Fenton's reagent test. Performance evaluation revealed that this membrane achieved a maximum power density of 196.6 mW m−2 at a maximum of 180 mA m−2 current density. Additionally, antibiofouling tests indicated that the 5 % SPMA-incorporated membrane possessed significant antibacterial properties against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and exhibited high biofilm inhibition. The wastewater treatment efficacy of the MFC with the 5 % SPMA membrane was confirmed by a chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 81.49 %, indicating its potential for effective wastewater treatment. Phylogenetic analysis through 16S rRNA sequencing identified major bacterial phyla including Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, and Firmicutes, with predominant genera such as Pseudomonas and Acidovorax. This study emphasises the potential of nanocomposite membranes to enhance the performance and durability of MFCs while mitigating biofouling, thereby paving the way for future research and development in this field.

Fabrication and performance evaluation of polycarbonate/polyvinyl alcohol–titanium dioxide thin‐film nanocomposite membranes for water treatment

AbstractIn recent years, there has been growing interest in using polymer nanocomposite membranes as a more advanced method for removing pollutants from water and treating wastewater for various purposes. In this study, thin‐film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes of polycarbonate/polyvinyl alcohol–titanium dioxide thin‐film (PC/PVA–TiO2) were fabricated by dip‐coating a PC substrate in a PVA/TiO2 solution. Various methods, including attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and water contact angle were utilized to assess the structural characteristics of the produced membranes. The PC/PVA thin‐film composite (TFC) and PC/PVA–TiO2 TFN membranes were then examined in a submerged membrane system to evaluate their effectiveness in filtering humic acid (HA) under various vacuum transmembrane pressure (0.3 and 0.6 bar) condition. The FTIR‐ATR results confirmed the formation of the active layer of PVA/TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). It was observed that adding 1 wt.% of TiO2 NPs to the active layer of PVA/TiO2 significantly enhanced the water contact angle from 77.5° for PC support to 55.3° for PC/PVA–TiO2 (0.1) TFN membranes. Furthermore, the FE‐SEM results confirmed the formation of an active layer of PVA/TiO2 with a thickness of 237.87 nm. The pure water flux increased from 101.64 L/m2h for the PC/PVA TFC membrane to 144.02 L/m2h and 199.09 L/m2h for the PC/PVA–TiO2 (0.05) and PC/PVA–TiO2 (0.1) TFN membranes, respectively. Also, the results revealed that at lower transmembrane pressure, all membranes showed higher value in HA removal as compared to when higher transmembrane pressure was used.

Optimization of sPEEK/S-TiO2 nanocomposite membranes using response surface methodology for low-temperature fuel cell

Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), a speciality thermoplastic polymer is treated with concentrated sulfuric acid to introduce sulfonated repeating units in its backbone. Sulfonated polyether-ether-ketone (sPEEK) is then compounded with sulfonated titanium dioxide (S-TiO2) nanoparticles according to design of experiments (DoE). FT-IR spectra for sPEEK/S-TiO2 nanocomposite membranes show the strong presence of peaks at 3500 cm−1 and 1632 cm−1 wave number because of bending and stretching vibrations of OH-group confirm successful sulfonation of polyether-ether-ketone polymer. Insertion of -SO3H group in polymer backbone hinders the stereo regularity of polymer chains and leads to an amorphous structure as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy of membranes. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the thermal stability of sPEEK is much poor than its precursor PEEK due to the presence of easily degradable -SO3H groups. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results show that factor wt.% of S-TiO2 is the most influencing among the factors. The proton conductivity and ion exchange capacity (IEC) increase with wt.% of S-TiO2. Proton conductivity of pristine sPEEK is 31.1 mS/cm which significantly increased to be 60.7 mS/cm for sPEEK/S-TiO2 (0.10 wt%) nanocomposite membrane. IEC, water uptake, and swelling ratio were observed to increase with the addition of S-TiO2 (wt.%) in the sPEEK matrix, reaching values of 62.6 mmol/g, 11.6 %, and 18.6 %, respectively.

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent-Assisted Construction of Silk Nanofibrils/Boron Nitride Nanosheets Membranes with Enhanced Heat-Dissipating Efficiency.

Natural polymer-derived nanofibrils have gained significant interest in diverse fields. However, production of bio-nanofibrils with the hierarchical structures such as fibrillar structures and crystalline features remains a great challenge. Herein, an all-natural strategy for simple, green, and scalable top-down exfoliation silk nanofibrils (SNFs) in novel renewable deep eutectic solvent (DES) composed by amino acids and D-sorbitol is innovatively developed. The DES-exfoliated SNFs with a controllable fibrillar structures and intact crystalline features, novelty preserving the hierarchical structure of natural silk fibers. Owing to the amphiphilic nature, the DES-exfoliated SNFs show excellent capacity of assisting the exfoliation of several 2D-layered materials, i.e., h-BN, MoS2, and WS2. More importantly, the SNFs-assisted dispersion of BNNSs with a concentration of 59.3% can be employed to construct SNFs/BNNSs nanocomposite membranes with excellent mechanical properties (tensile strength of 416.7MPa, tensile modulus of 3.86GPa and toughness of 1295.4 KJ·m-3) and thermal conductivity (in-plane thermal conductivity coefficient of 3.84 W·m-1·K-1), enabling it to possess superior cooling efficiency compared with the commercial silicone pad.

Enhanced solid-electrolyte interface efficiency for practically viable hydrogen-air fuel cell systems

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) provide an appealing sustainable energy system, with the solid-electrolyte membrane playing a crucial role in its overall performance. Currently, sulfonated poly(1,4-phenylene ether-ether sulfone) (SPEES), an aromatic hydrocarbon polymer, has garnered considerable attention as an alternative to Nafion polymers. However, the long-term durability and stability of SPEES present a significant challenge. In this context, we introduce a potential solution in the form of an additive, specifically a core–shell-based amine-functionalized iron titanate (A–Fe2TiO5), which holds promise for improving the lifetime, proton conductivity, and power density of SPEES in PEMFCs. The modified SPEES/A–Fe2TiO5 composite membranes exhibited notable characteristics, including high water uptake, enhanced thermomechanical stability, and oxidative stability. Notably, the SPEES membrane loaded with 1.2 wt% of A–Fe2TiO5 demonstrates a maximum proton conductivity of 155 mS cm−1, a twofold increase compared to the SPEES membrane, at 80 °C under 100% relative humidity (RH). Furthermore, the 1.2 wt% of A–Fe2TiO5/SPEES composite membranes exhibited a maximum power density of 397.37 mW cm−2 and a current density of 1148 mA cm−2 at 60 °C under 100% RH, with an open-circuit voltage decay of 0.05 mV/h during 103 h of continuous operation. This study offers significant insights into the development and understanding of innovative SPEES nanocomposite membranes for PEMFC applications.

Sustainable Wastewater Treatment with Bi2MoO6/Cellulose Acetate Photocatalytic Membranes

AbstractA major challenge for modern society is securing quality water for various uses. Membrane water treatment will be crucial for drinking water, desalination, and wastewater reuse. The development of bismuth molybdate (Bi2MoO6) nanoparticles has enabled the production of novel Bi2MoO6‐incorporated cellulose acetate (CA) membrane nanocomposite. The synthesized Bi2MoO6/CA nanocomposites are thoroughly examined for their structural, morphological, and photocatalytic characteristics using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The photocatalytic properties are determined by evaluating the degradation of Malachite Green (MG) and Rose Bengal (RB) by the nanocomposite membranes under the illumination of a UV light simulator. Notably, the Bi2MoO6/CA nanocomposite membrane displays exceptional and sustained photocatalytic efficiency (78%) and (84%) in MG and RB dye degradation, respectively. Moreover, the effective loading of the Bi2MoO6 onto the CA membrane enhances electron and hole adsorption while facilitating carrier movement. Furthermore, the stability exhibited by the Bi2MoO6/CA nanocomposite photocatalysts remains impressive even after multiple cycles, demonstrating their durability. This research introduces a cutting‐edge semiconductor‐based hybrid nanocomposite material that proves highly efficient in the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes, showcasing promising advancements in environmental remediation strategies.

Fabrication of ultra-permeable membranes with antibiofouling capability by incorporating bifunctionalized zeolite

Poor water permeance and biofouling significantly limit the application of nanofiltration (NF) membranes in wastewater treatment and seawater desalination. Herein, bifunctionalized FAU-Ag-OH zeolites, featuring abundant hydroxyl groups and silver ions on their surface, were designed and incorporated into polyamide (PA) layer of a thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane, effectively enhancing the antibiofouling properties and water permeance of membrane. The plentiful hydroxyl groups and well-dispersed silver ions on the bifunctionalized FAU-Ag-OH zeolites impart the membrane with more negative surface charge, increased hydrophilicity, and superior antibiofouling property. Additionally, the doped FAU-Ag-OH zeolites can retard the diffusion of piperazine during interfacial polymerization (IP) process and have improved chemical compatibility with polymers, which results in desirable membrane structure. Consequently, the optimal M–0.05 membrane containing FAU-Ag-OH zeolites exhibited a 2.3-fold increase in water permeance (18.8 ± 2.0 L m−2 h−1 bar−1) and enhanced antibiofouling ability (with antibacterial efficiency up to 95.4 % and flux recovery ratio up to 85 %) compared with the TFC membrane. The successful fabrication of such membrane with enhanced antibiofouling properties and improved water permeance is expected to promote the application of NF membranes in water treatment.