New Concept for Dual-Layer Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Composite Membrane for Membrane Distillation

Muhammad R. Bilad; Faisal A. Al Marzooqi; Hassan A. Arafat

doi:10.6000/1929-6037.2015.04.03.4

Authors

Muhammad R. Bilad Institute Center for Water and Environment (iWater), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, PO Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Faisal A. Al Marzooqi Institute Center for Water and Environment (iWater), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, PO Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Hassan A. Arafat Institute Center for Water and Environment (iWater), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, PO Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-6037.2015.04.03.4

Keywords:

Membrane distillation, poly(vinylidenefluoride), phase inversion, dual-layer, composite membrane

Abstract

This study presents a new concept of a simple method for the synthesis of dual layer hydrophilic/hydrophobic composite membranes for membrane distillation (MD). The membranes were prepared of poly(vinylidenefluoride) (PVDF) by phase inversion. The synthesis was realized by allowing a full or partial penetration of the polymer solution through one or two non-woven support (NWS) layers. This was achieved by proper selection of a thin NWS having high stiffness, high porosity and low surface tension, in combination with a runny polymer solution and sufficient time gap between casting and coagulation. The applied preparation method was effective in yielding dual layer composite membranes. The first layer atop the NWS was a hydrophilic or slightly hydrophobic one (contact angle (CA) of 88-92º), while the bottom layer beneath the NWS was highly hydrophobic (CA=132-140º). The difference in surface energy between the top and bottom layers originated from a difference in morphology. A smooth and dense top layer is formed as a result of an instantaneous demixing, while a porous and multi-scale network with some degrees of spherulitical structure was formed on the bottom by a delayed demixing mechanism. Direct contact MD (DCMD) results showed that the obtained flux was comparable to other composite MD membranes with high salt rejection. Membrane alignment inside the MD module is a critical element in determining the membrane performance and is shown to significantly increase flux when a top facing feed configuration is used.

References

Bodell BR. Distillation of saline water using silicone rubber membrane. US3361645 A, 02-Jan-1968.

El-Bourawi MS, Ding Z, Ma R, Khayet M. A framework for better understanding membrane distillation separation process. J Membr Sci 2006; 285(1-2): 4-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2006.08.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2006.08.002

Lawson KW, Lloyd DR. Membrane distillation. J Membr Sci 1997; 124(1): 1-25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0376-7388(96)00236-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-7388(96)00236-0

Warsinger DM, Swaminathan J, Guillen-Burrieza E, Arafat HA, Lienhard VJH. Scaling and fouling in membrane distillation for desalination applications: A review. State---Art Rev Desalination 2015; 356: 294-313. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2014.06.031 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2014.06.031

Bonyadi S, Chung TS. Flux enhancement in membrane distillation by fabrication of dual layer hydrophilic–hydrophobic hollow fiber membranes. J Membr Sci 2007; 306(1-2): 134-146. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2007.08.034 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2007.08.034

Cheng DY, Wiersma SJ. Composite membrane for a membrane distillation system. US4419242 A, 06-Dec-1983.

Wu Y, Kong Y, Lin X, Liu W, Xu J. Surface-modified hydrophilic membranes in membrane distillation. J Membr Sci 1992; 72(2): 189-196. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0376-7388(92)80199-T DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0376-7388(92)80199-T

Kong Y, Lin X, Wu Y, Chen J, Xu J. Plasma polymerization of octafluorocyclobutane and hydrophobic microporous composite membranes for membrane distillation. J Appl Polym Sci 1992; 46(2): 191-199. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.1992.070460201 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/app.1992.070460201

Khayet M, Matsuura T. Application of surface modifying macromolecules for the preparation of membranes for membrane distillation. Desalination 2003; 158(1-3): 51-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0011-9164(03)00432-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0011-9164(03)00432-6

Qtaishat M, Khayet M, Matsuura T. Novel porous composite hydrophobic/hydrophilic polysulfone membranes for desalination by direct contact membrane distillation. J Membr Sci 2009; 341(1-2): 139-148. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2009.05.053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2009.05.053

Qtaishat M, Rana D, Khayet M, Matsuura T. Preparation and characterization of novel hydrophobic/hydrophilic polyetherimide composite membranes for desalination by direct contact membrane distillation. J Membr Sci 2009; 327(1-2): 264-273. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2008.11.040 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2008.11.040

Khayet M, Mengual JI, Matsuura T. Porous hydrophobic/hydrophilic composite membranes: Application in desalination using direct contact membrane distillation. J Membr Sci 2005; 252(1-2): 101-113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2004.11.022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2004.11.022

Prince JA, Rana D, Matsuura T, Ayyanar N, Shanmugasundaram TS, Singh G. Nanofiber based triple layer hydro-philic/-phobic membrane - a solution for pore wetting in membrane distillation. Sci Rep 2014; 4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep06949 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep06949

Edwie F, Teoh MM, Chung T-S. Effects of additives on dual-layer hydrophobic–hydrophilic PVDF hollow fiber membranes for membrane distillation and continuous performance. Chem Eng Sci 2012; 68(1): 567-578. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2011.10.024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2011.10.024

Kang G, Cao Y. Application and modification of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes – A review. J Membr Sci 2014; 463: 145-165. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2014.03.055 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2014.03.055

Zhao Y-H, Qian Y-L, Zhu B-K, Xu Y-Y. Modification of porous poly (vinylidene fluoride) membrane using amphiphilic polymers with different structures in phase inversion process. J Membr Sci 2008; 310(1): 567-576. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2007.11.040 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2007.11.040

Peng M, Li H, Wu L, Zheng Q, Chen Y, Gu W. Porous poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane with highly hydrophobic surface. J Appl Polym Sci 2005; 98(3): 1358-1363. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.22303 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/app.22303

Huo R, Gu Z, Zuo K, Zhao G. Preparation and properties of PVDF-fabric composite membrane for membrane distillation. Desalination 2009; 249(3): 910-913. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2009.06.069 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2009.06.069

Yang Y, Rana D, Matsuura T, Zheng S, Lan CQ. Criteria for the selection of a support material to fabricate coated membranes for a life support device. RSC Adv 2014; 4(73): 38711-38717. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C4RA04638B DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C4RA04638B

Tao M, Xue L, Liu F, Jiang L. An Intelligent Superwetting PVDF Membrane Showing Switchable Transport Performance for Oil/Water Separation. Adv Mater 2014; 26(18): 2943-2948. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adma.201305112 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201305112

Bottino A, Capannelli G, Comite A, Oliveri M. Development of novel membranes with controlled porosity from fluorinated polymer. FIltration 2004; 4(2): 130-135.

Zhenxin Z, Matsuura T. Discussions on the formation mechanism of surface pores in reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and microfiltration membranes prepared by phase inversion process. J Colloid Interface Sci 1991; 147(2): 307-315. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0021-9797(91)90162-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9797(91)90162-2

Fan H, Peng Y, Li Z, Chen P, Jiang Q, Wang S. Preparation and characterization of hydrophobic PVDF membranes by vapor-induced phase separation and application in vacuum membrane distillation. J Polym Res 2013; 20(6): 1-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10965-013-0134-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-013-0134-4

Thomas R, Guillen-Burrieza E, Arafat HA. Pore structure control of PVDF membranes using a 2-stage coagulation bath phase inversion process for application in membrane distillation (MD). J Membr Sci 2014; 452: 470-480. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2013.11.036 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2013.11.036

Mulder M. Basic principles of membrane technology. Dordrecht [u.a.: Kluwer 1996. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1766-8

Schofield RW, Hogan PA, Fane AG, Fell CDJ. Developments in membrane distillation. Desalination 1987; 62: 728.

Guillen-Burrieza E, Thomas R, Mansoor B, Johnson D, Hilal N, Arafat H. Effect of dry-out on the fouling of PVDF and PTFE membranes under conditions simulating intermittent seawater membrane distillation (SWMD). J Membr Sci 2013; 438: 126-139. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2013.03.014 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2013.03.014

Saffarini RB, Summers EK, Arafat HA. Technical evaluation of stand-alone solar powered membrane distillation systems. Desalination 2012; 286: 332-341. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2011.11.044 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2011.11.044

Essalhi M, Khayet M. Surface segregation of fluorinated modifying macromolecule for hydrophobic/hydrophilic membrane preparation and application in air gap and direct contact membrane distillation. J Membr Sci 2012; 417: 163-173. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2012.06.028 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2012.06.028