Optimization of Membrane Condenser Process with PTFE Hollow Fiber Membrane.

A membrane condenser (MC) is a novel membrane separation technology that utilizes the hydrophobic nature of porous membranes to capture water vapor from humid gas. Factors such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, and gas composition entering the membrane condenser play a crucial role in water recovery efficiency. This study utilized hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hollow fiber membranes to create multiple identical membrane modules.

Unraveling the Interactions between Lithium and Twisted Graphene.

Graphene is undoubtedly the carbon allotrope that has attracted the attention of a myriad of researchers in the last decades more than any other. The interaction of external or intercalated Li and Li with graphene layers has been the subject of particular attention for its importance in the applications of graphene layers in Lithium Batteries (LiBs). It is well known that lithium atoms and Li can be found inside and/or outside the double layer of graphene, and the graphene layers are often twisted around its parallel plane to obtain twisted graphene with tuneable properties.

Preparation, Modification, and Application of Ethylene-Chlorotrifluoroethylene Copolymer Membranes.

Ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE) was first commercialized by DuPont in 1974. Its unique chemical structure gives it high heat resistance, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance. But also due to these properties, it is difficult to prepare a membrane from it by the nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) method.

Preparation of Hyflon AD/Polypropylene Blend Membrane for Artificial Lung.

A high-performance polypropylene hollow fiber membrane (PP-HFM) was prepared by using a binary environmentally friendly solvent of polypropylene as the raw material, adopting the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method, and adjusting the raw material ratio. The binary diluents were soybean oil (SO) and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC). The suitable SO/ATBC ratio of 7/3 was based on the size change of the L-L phase separation region in PP-SO/ATBC thermodynamic phase diagram.

Treatment of Aniline Wastewater by Membrane Distillation and Crystallization.

Aniline is a highly toxic organic pollutant with "carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenesis" characteristics. In the present paper, a membrane distillation and crystallization (MDCr) process was proposed to achieve zero liquid discharge (ZLD) of aniline wastewater. Hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes were used in the membrane distillation (MD) process.

ECTFE Membrane Fabrication Using Green Binary Diluents TEGDA/TOTM and Its Performance in Membrane Condenser.

Poly(ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (ECTFE) membrane is a hydrophobic membrane material that can be used to recover water from high-humidity gases in the membrane condenser (MC) process. In this study, ECTFE membranes were prepared by the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method using the green binary diluents triglyceride diacetate (TEGDA) and trioctyl trimellitate (TOTM). Thermodynamic phase diagrams of the ECTFE/TEGDA: TOTM system were made.

Graphene-Coated PVDF Membranes: Effects of Multi-Scale Rough Structure on Membrane Distillation Performance.

Graphene-coated membranes for membrane distillation have been fabricated by using a wet-filtration approach. Graphene nanoplatelets have been deposited onto PVDF membrane surfaces. Morphology and physicochemical properties have been explored to evaluate the changes in the surface topography and related effects on the membrane performance in water desalination.

Preparation of ECTFE Porous Membrane for Dehumidification of Gaseous Streams through Membrane Condenser.

Due to the good hydrophobicity and chemical resistance of poly(ethylene trifluoroethylene) (ECTFE), it has been an attractive potential material for microfiltration, membrane distillation and more. However, few porous hydrophobic ECTFE membranes were prepared by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) for membrane condenser applications. In this work, the diluent, di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), was selected to prepare the dope solutions.

Exfoliated BiTe-enabled membranes for new concept water desalination: Freshwater production meets new routes.

Water scarcity forces the science to find the most environmentally friendly propulsion technology for supplying plentiful freshwater at low energy costs. Membrane Distillation well meets criteria of eco-friendly management of natural resources, but it is not yet competitive on scale. Herein, we use a dichalchogenide compound (BiTe) as a conceivable source to accelerate the redesign of advanced membranes technologies such as thermally driven membrane distillation.

Porous Carbon Materials Obtained by the Hydrothermal Carbonization of Orange Juice.

Porous carbon materials are currently subjected to strong research efforts mainly due to their excellent performances in energy storage devices. A sustainable process to obtain them is hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), in which the decomposition of biomass precursors generates solid products called hydrochars, together with liquid and gaseous products. Hydrochars have a high C content and are rich with oxygen-containing functional groups, which is important for subsequent activation.

Adsorption-assisted transport of water vapour in super-hydrophobic membranes filled with multilayer graphene platelets.

The effects of confinement of multilayer graphene platelets in hydrophobic microporous polymeric membranes are here examined. Intermolecular interactions between water vapour molecules and nanocomposite membranes are envisaged to originate assisted transport of water vapour in membrane distillation processes when a suitable filler-polymer ratio is reached. Mass transport coefficients are estimated under different working conditions, suggesting a strong dependence of the transport on molecular interactions.

Anticancer activity modulation of an innovative solid formulation of extra virgin olive oil by cultured zeolite scaffolds.

This paper deals with the design and manufacture of pure and hybrid synthetic (Mixed Matrix Membranes, MMMs) zeolite scaffolds (containing various amount of zeolite crystals dispersed in a polymeric matrix) to obtain new biomaterials. These scaffolds can potentially be used in the field of translational medicine to obtain innovative results to address tumorigenesis mechanisms with the promotion of an effort to deal with technical methods and information. Since olive oil has beneficial effects in healthy human cells and slows down and/or inhibits cell growth, the aim of this work was to monitor the protective and beneficial antitumor effects of olive oil in a new solid formulation (Spread Bio-Oil) on cancer cell cultured on zeolite scaffolds.

Cresyl Violet Adsorption on Sonicated Graphite Oxide.

We present a study of adsorption of Cresyl Violet (CV) in aqueous solution on sonicated Graphite Oxide (sGO). For comparison, we also show adsorption results of Methylene Blue (MB) and Acridine Orange (AO) performed in the same conditions. The adsorbent was synthesized by the Tour's method followed by washing in water and ethanol and sonication, without any reduction, and studied by Raman, IR, UV-Vis, SEM and TEM techniques.

Fabrication and evaluation of novel zeolite membranes to control the neoplastic activity and anti-tumoral drug treatments in human breast cancer cells. Part 1: Synthesis and characterization of Pure Zeolite Membranes and Mixed Matrix Membranes for adhesion and growth of cancer cells.

Novel pure and hybrid zeolite membranes were prepared with appropriate different physicochemical characteristics such as frameworks, hydrophilicity, crystal size, chemical composition, acid-base properties (Point of Zero Charge, PZC) and surface morphology and used in inorganic cell/scaffold constructs. Because the control of cell interactions, as the adhesion, proliferation, remodelling and mobility, is important for differentiation and progression of tumors, this work focused on response of cancer cells adhered and grown on synthesized zeolite surfaces in order to study the influence of these scaffolds in controlled conditions. We have selected the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line as model tumor cell lines.

Zeolite scaffolds for cultures of human breast cancer cells. Part II: Effect of pure and hybrid zeolite membranes on neoplastic and metastatic activity control.

This work is focused on the response of two invasive phenotypes of human breast cancer cells, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, grown on synthesized zeolite scaffolds in order to study the influence of those biomaterials in controlled conditions with and without anti-tumoral drug treatments. Our research was directed to the use of doxorubicin (DOX) and bergapten (5-MOP). The former is broadly considered the most active single agent available for the treatment of breast cancer, the second is a natural psoralen with an apoptotic effect.

Controlled Bulk Properties of Composite Polymeric Solutions for Extensive Structural Order of Honeycomb Polysulfone Membranes.

This work provides additional insights into the identification of operating conditions necessary to overcome a current limitation to the scale-up of the breath figure method, which is regarded as an outstanding manufacturing approach for structurally ordered porous films. The major restriction concerns, indeed, uncontrolled touching droplets at the boundary. Herein, the bulk of polymeric solutions are properly managed to generate honeycomb membranes with a long-range structurally ordered texture.

Functional carbon nanotubes for high-quality charge transfer and moisture regulation through membranes: structural and functional insights.

Functional single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are assembled onto porous supports by using layer-by-layer (LBL) approaches. Directed nano-assembly of nanotubes is identified as a crucial factor for controlling the combined functions of hybrid-composite membranes, including charge and moisture transport. In both the cases, donor-acceptor interactions are indicated to be responsible for the rearrangement of nanotubes inside the LBL multilayer and their related properties.

Bio-mimetic sensors based on molecularly imprinted membranes.

An important challenge for scientific research is the production of artificial systems able to mimic the recognition mechanisms occurring at the molecular level in living systems. A valid contribution in this direction resulted from the development of molecular imprinting. By means of this technology, selective molecular recognition sites are introduced in a polymer, thus conferring it bio-mimetic properties.

Bromide ion exchange with a Keggin polyoxometalate on functionalized polymeric membranes: a theoretical and experimental study.

Noncovalent interactions between the polyoxometalate [PMo12O40](3-) and acryloyloxyundecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide surfactant, used during membrane preparation, were evaluated in the frame of density functional theory. The electronic solvation energy of [PMo12O40](3) and bromide anions was also evaluated, at the same level of theory, in order to predict a probable exchange on the polymeric surface between these anions at the water/polymer interface. Energy balances were theoretically assessed, showing that the bromide cannot be exchanged with this nanosized polyanion in large extent.

On the cause of controlling affinity to small molecules of imprinted polymeric membranes prepared by noncovalent approach: a computational and experimental investigation.

Imprinting technique applied to membrane preparation via phase inversion methods yields membranes with enhanced affinity toward target molecules. In the imprinted membranes prepared by noncovalent approach hydrogen bond and electrostatic interactions can play a crucial role in determining the performance of these membranes. In this work, quantum mechanical calculations and experiments were performed to understand the physical-chemical causes of the affinity increase in imprinted polymeric membranes to 4,4'-methylendianiline (MDA), dissolved in an organic solvent.

High-definition polymeric membranes: construction of 3D lithographed channel arrays through control of natural building blocks dynamics.

The fabrication of well-defined interfaces is in high demand in many fields of biotechnologies. Here, high-definition membrane-like arrays are developed through the self-assembly of water droplets, which work as natural building blocks for the construction of ordered channels. Solution viscosity together with the dynamics of the water droplets can decide the final formation of three-dimensional well-ordered patterns resembling anodic structures, especially because solvents denser than water are used.

Competitive hydrogen-bonding interactions in modified polymer membranes: a density functional theory investigation.

The subject of this work is the density functional theory (DFT) investigation of competitive hydrogen-bonding interactions that occur in modified block poly(ether/amide) (PEBAX) membranes. Previously, an evaluation of hydrogen-bonding interactions occurring between N-ethyl-o,p-toluensulfonamide (KET) modifiers was performed to establish the role of these interactions in affinity processes when the modifier is dissolved in PEBAX matrixes. However, some issues related to polymer-polymer (host-host) and modifier-polymer (host-guest) interactions were not analyzed from a theoretical point of view in the previous analysis.

Water droplets as template for next-generation self-assembled poly-(etheretherketone) with cardo membranes.

Next generation PEEK-WC membranes have been fabricated by using an innovative self-assembly technique. Patterned architectures have been achieved via a solvent-reduced and water-assisted process, resulting in honeycomb packed geometry. The membranes exhibit monodisperse pores with size and shape comparable to those left by templating water droplets.

New PVDF membranes: The effect of plasma surface modification on retention in nanofiltration of aqueous solution containing organic compounds.

New nanofiltration membranes were prepared by non-solvent-induced phase inversion from a PVDF/DMF/water system. The effect of exposure time before coagulation on the membrane characteristics (morphology, thickness, overall porosity, tensile strength) was investigated. PVDF membrane prepared at a fixed exposure time of 45s (PF45) was further plasma surface modified (RF 13.

Intermolecular interactions as controlling factor for water sorption into polymer membranes.

A multidisciplinary approach was used for delineating the mechanisms controlling water sorption into modified block co-poly-(ether/amide) (PEBAX) membranes. In particular, incorporation of aromatic sulfonamide (KET) into the polymer matrix led to a nonlinear increase of water sorption in the membrane. The modification in sorption was accompanied by a nonlinear behavior in membrane surface energies.