Das C., Gebru R.A. Polymeric Membrane Synthesis, Modification, and Applications. Electro-Spun and Phase Inverted Membranes

Handbook. — Boca Raton, CRC Press, 2019. — 389 p.Membranes and membrane separation techniques have grown from a simple laboratory tool to an industrial process with considerable technical and commercial impact. Today, membranes are used on a large scale to produce potable water from the sea by reverse osmosis; to clean industrial effluents and recover valuable constituents by electrodialysis; to fractionate macromolecular solutions in the food and drug industry by ultrafiltration; to remove urea and other toxins from the bloodstream by dialysis in an artificial kidney; and to release drugs at a predetermined rate in medical treatment. To maintain membrane separations as economical alternatives to conventional water and wastewater treatment technologies, we must produce a high-quality permeate at a fast rate, and be able to maintain that production for an extended period of time. However, the relationship between flux and selectivity along with fouling introduce a challenge that must be addressed for all membrane applications.
This book deals with both the fundamental concepts and practical applications of electrospun and phase inverted polymeric membranes. Moreover, this book covers the research works of the authors as an example already published/presented from the Membrane and Bioremediation Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati during the last few years. A selection of these works is accumulated along with the fundamental concepts of the prepared membranes. Some of the knowledge from the present research is used as “practical examples” in the book. The book is divided into two broad parts.
Membranes with the capacity to remove heavy metals and other contaminants while less susceptible to membrane fouling were developed using electrospinning and phase inversion techniques are discussed in this book. This book is organized and divided into seven chapters. Chapter 1 is a platform to provide valuable information on the background knowledge of this research work for better understanding of the types of membranes, membrane preparation techniques, functionalization, characterization, and applications. The functionalization and grafting methods for the modification of polymer and/or membrane are discussed. Emphasis is given to the phase inversion and electrospinning techniques of membrane preparations. Moreover, the possible scopes for further enhancement on the preparation and modifications of the membranes are also identified. Chapter 2 provides detailed information on the membrane preparation procedures and physicochemical and instrumental characterization techniques. An empirical exploration into the effects of time duration, voltage supply, concentration, and flow rate on the membrane average fiber diameter and surface pore size distribution using response surface methodology (RSM) based on central compact design (CCD) are presented in Chapter 3. Hybrid membranes from cellulose acetate (CA) and titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated using a novel electrospinning technique and evaluated as an adsorbent for the elimination of lead and copper metal ions. The impacts of various adsorption parameters, namely, pH, the amount of TiO2 nanoparticles, contact time, temperature, and kinetics on metal uptake were investigated using batch adsorption experiments. The model isotherms, such as Dubinin–Radushkevich (D-R), Freundlich, and Langmuir, were used to analyze the adsorption equilibrium data. Pseudo first-order and pseudo-second-order were preferred for kinetic model study. Furthermore, preparation and characterization of electrospun polysulfone membranes; preparation and characterization of electrospun polyvinyl alcohol membranes; and preparation and characterization of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride membranes are also presented in this chapter. Chapter 4 presents the investigation on the effects of two different hydrophilic additives and two solvents on the morphological structure, permeability property, and anti-fouling performances of CA ultrafiltration membranes. The experimental studies of fouling/rinsing cycles, rejection, and permeate fluxes were used to investigate the effect of PEG and PVP additives and effect of the two solvents on the fabricated membranes using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein. Effects of PEG additive and TiO2 NPs on the preparation of phase inverted CA ultrafiltration membrane were investigated. The influences of PVP and TiO2 on the preparation of phase inverted CA ultrafiltration membrane were also explored. Furthermore, preparation and characterization of polysufone membranes, preparation and characterization of polyvinylidene fluoride membranes, and preparation and characterization of polymeric membranes are also covered in this chapter. In Chapter 5, TiO2 NPs were modified using different amine groups, namely, ethylenediamine (EDA), hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA), and tetra ethylene pentamine (TEPA), using an impregnation process. The prepared amine modified TiO2 composites were explored as an additive to fabricate ultrafiltration membranes with enhanced capacity toward the removal of chromium ions. The graft copolymerization of CA and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was synthesized through free radical polymerization with the presence of cerium sulfate (CS) as initiator under nitrogen atmosphere in an aqueous solution. During the grafting reactions the effect polymerization time and temperature on the grafting were investigated. Furthermore, functionalization of the synthesized product was done using amine group. The membranes prepared from the modified polymer were investigated for the ultrafiltration of humic acids. Additionally, topics such as functionalization and characterization of polysulfone membranes; functionalization and characterization of polyvinylidene fluoride membranes; and grafting copolymerization of monomers on polymers are also covered extensively in this chapter. Polymeric membranes for industrial effluent treatments applications and polymeric membranes for biomedical applications are covered in Chapters 6 and 7, respectively.
Though a number of books with excellent quality are available on this topic, this book is an extra effort to offer additional knowledge on fundamental concepts of preparation, characterization, and modification of conventional polymeric membranes, and presents their recent advancements for specific applications to the readers. This book is a guideline for students, scientists, and engineers, and it provides new ideas for creative thinkers. It is the coalition of views into the past, the present, and the future.
We wish to thank Central Instrumental Facility, IIT Guwahati for conducting all the experiments for characterizing the prepared membranes. We would like to thank the entire departmental non-teaching lab staffs for their enormous support. Moreover, the authors would like to thank their parents and family members and all the well-wishers for their constant support.Membrane Technology
Materials and Characterization Methods
Electrospun Composite Membranes: Preparation and Application
Phase Inverted Membranes: Preparation and Application
Modification of Polymeric Membranes
Polymeric Membranes for Industrial Effluent Treatments Applications
Polymeric Membranes for Biomedical and Biotechnology Applications