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Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Organic/Inorganic Film Membranes and Advanced Materials (Volume III)

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A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2023) | Viewed by 16427

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Dr. Elena Kalinina

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1. Laboratory of Complex Electrophysic Investigations, Institute of Electrophysics, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg 620016, Russia
2. Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg 620002, Russia
Interests: solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC); thin-film technology; electrophoretic deposition (EPD); stable suspensions; nanoscale materials; electrochemical properties
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Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Beltsios

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Materials Sector, School of Chemical Engineering, NTUA, Zographou Campus, 15780 Athens, Greece
Interests: polymeric phase inversion membranes; ceramic porous membranes; carbon membranes
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to invite you to submit your works to a Special Issue entitled “Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Organic/Inorganic Film Membranes and Advanced Materials (Volume III)”. The purpose of this Special Issue is to present the latest experimental and theoretical developments in the application of organic/inorganic membranes based on new functional materials. Authors are invited to submit their latest results; both original research papers and reviews are welcome. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

The development of methods for producing organic/inorganic membranes, including physical vacuum deposition technologies such as magnetron deposition, pulsed laser deposition, and chemical vapor deposition as well as electrochemical methods, ceramic and solution technologies, polymeric membrane synthesis, nano-assembly and nanotechnologies, etc.

3D printing and additive manufacturing for the formation of membrane film structures.

The application of organic/inorganic membranes in devices for energy production, conversion and storage (fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors, electrolyzers); chemical sensors; MEMS devices; and catalytic reactors. Transport phenomena in membrane structures: simulation and experiment.

Promising materials for the production of organic/inorganic membranes; ion-conductive materials, proton-conductive materials; and metal, semiconductor, dielectric, and piezo materials.

Methods for obtaining promising nanostructured and composite membrane materials.

Dr. Elena Kalinina
Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Beltsios
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

thin-film technology
organic/inorganic film membranes
electrophoretic deposition
membranes for energy conversion and storage
fuel cells
membrane materials
membrane fabrication

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 7257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Performance of Self-Made Open-Cathode Fuel Cell Stacks under Different Operating Conditions

by Qiang Bai, Zhenghong Liu and Chuangyu Hsieh

Membranes 2023, 13(11), 881; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13110881 - 13 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2115

Abstract

The traditional fuel cell power system requires external ventilation and humidification systems for both the anode and cathode, which not only increases the application cost but also restrict its widespread use. In order to further enhance the applicability and reduce the operating costs of fuel cell power systems, this paper investigates the open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell power system. This approach not only lowers the cost but also reduces the weight of the power system, enabling its potential application in a wider range of vehicles. In this study, two versions of the open-cathode fuel cell stacks were developed and performance and stability tests were conducted under various operating conditions. Additionally, tests were carried out with different materials of carbon paper to find a balance between performance and stability. Through the research presented in this paper, the application scope of fuel cells has been expanded, providing valuable insights for their further development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Organic/Inorganic Film Membranes and Advanced Materials (Volume III))

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14 pages, 3073 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Copolyimide Brushes as a Component of a Hybrid Poly(phenylene Oxide) Membrane for Controlling Gas Separation: Effect of Water, Methanol, and Hexane Vapors

by Nadezhda Tian, Alexandra Pulyalina, Ilya Faykov, Iosif Gofman, Konstantin Zolotovsky and Galina Polotskaya

Membranes 2023, 13(9), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13090805 - 20 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1391

Abstract

The effect of water, methanol, and hexane vapors on gas permeability was studied in a hybrid membrane containing 5 wt% copolyimide brushes with poly(methyl methacrylate) side chains (PI-g-PMMA) in a poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) matrix, and in a pristine PPO membrane. These membranes in the form of dense nonporous films were further examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as by measuring their mechanical and gas transport properties. A gas separation study of the membranes in a dry state and the membranes saturated with water, methanol, and hexane vapors was performed to estimate the effect of each vapor on the H₂, CO₂, N₂ permeability and selectivity in the separation of H₂/N₂ and CO₂/N₂ pairs. In general, saturation with water, methanol, and hexane vapors caused a decrease in the gas permeability of both membranes. The hybrid membrane containing copolyimide brushes demonstrated enhanced selectivity in the separation of H₂/N₂ and CO₂/N₂ pairs. It was found that a special effect of the vapors used for membrane saturation is associated with their molar volume. The solubility and diffusion coefficients of N₂ and CO₂ were obtained by Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Organic/Inorganic Film Membranes and Advanced Materials (Volume III))

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15 pages, 4250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Amidoxime Modified UiO-66@PIM-1 Mixed-Matrix Membranes to Enhance CO₂ Separation and Anti-Aging Performance

by Jiaming Gao, Yongchao Sun, Feifei Kang, Fei Guo, Gaohong He, Hanli Wang, Zhendong Yang, Canghai Ma, Xiaobin Jiang and Wu Xiao

Membranes 2023, 13(9), 781; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13090781 - 6 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1882

Abstract

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) generally have some fatal defects, such as poor compatibility between the two phases leading to non-selective pores. In this work, PIM-1 was chosen as the polymer matrix, and UiO-66 modified with amidoxime (UiO-66-AO) was used as the filler to prepare the MMMs. In the MMMs, the amino and hydroxyl groups on UO-66-AO form a rich hydrogen bond network with the N and O atoms in the polymer PIM-1 chain to improve the compatibility between the polymer matrix and the filler. In addition, the selective adsorption of CO₂ by the amidoxime group can promote the transport of CO₂ in the membrane, which enhances the gas selectivity. The CO₂ permeability and CO₂/N₂ selectivity of UiO-66-AO@PIM-1 MMMs are increased by 35.2% and 45.2% compared to pure PIM-1 membranes, reaching 7535.5 Barrer and 26.9, surpassing the Robeson Upper Bound (2008) and close to the 2019 Upper Bound. After 38 days of the aging experiment, the CO₂ permeability is approximately 74% of the original. The results show that the addition of UiO-66-AO has an obvious effect on improving the aging properties of the membrane. The UiO-66-AO@PIM-1 MMMs have a bright prospect for CO₂ separation in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Organic/Inorganic Film Membranes and Advanced Materials (Volume III))

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19 pages, 4987 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nanocomposite Polymer Gel Electrolyte Based on TiO₂ Nanoparticles for Lithium Batteries

by Nikita A. Slesarenko, Alexander V. Chernyak, Kyunsylu G. Khatmullina, Guzaliya R. Baymuratova, Alena V. Yudina, Galiya Z. Tulibaeva, Alexander F. Shestakov, Vitaly I. Volkov and Olga V. Yarmolenko

Membranes 2023, 13(9), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13090776 - 1 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1564

Abstract

In this article, the specific features of competitive ionic and molecular transport in nanocomposite systems based on network membranes synthesized by radical polymerization of polyethylene glycol diacrylate in the presence of LiBF₄, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, ethylene carbonate (EC), and TiO₂ nanopowder (d~21 nm) were studied for ¹H, ⁷Li, ¹¹B, ¹³C, and ¹⁹F nuclei using NMR. The membranes obtained were studied through electrochemical impedance, IR-Fourier spectroscopy, DSC, and TGA. The ionic conductivity of the membranes was up to 4.8 m Scm⁻¹ at room temperature. The operating temperature range was from −40 to 100 °C. Two types of molecular and ionic transport (fast and slow) have been detected by pulsed field gradient NMR. From quantum chemical modeling, it follows that the difficulty of lithium transport is due to the strong chemisorption of BF₄^– anions with counterions on the surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles. The theoretical conclusion about the need to increase the proportion of EC in order to reduce the influence of this effect was confirmed by an experimental study of a system with 4 moles of EC. It has been shown that this approach leads to an increase in lithium conductivity in an ionic liquid medium, which is important for the development of thermostable nanocomposite electrolytes for Li//LiFePO₄ batteries with a base of lithium salts and aprotonic imidasolium ionic liquid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Organic/Inorganic Film Membranes and Advanced Materials (Volume III))

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19 pages, 3907 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acrylonitrile–Acrylic Acid Copolymer Ultrafiltration Membranes for Selective Asphaltene Removal from Crude Oil

by Alexey A. Yushkin, Alexey V. Balynin, Alexandra P. Nebesskaya, Elena V. Chernikova, Dmitriy G. Muratov, Mikhail N. Efimov and Galina P. Karpacheva

Membranes 2023, 13(9), 775; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13090775 - 1 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1538

Abstract

In this study, ultrafiltration membranes were developed via a nonsolvent-induced phase separation method for the removal of asphaltenes from crude oil. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and acrylonitrile copolymers with acrylic acid were used as membrane materials. Copolymerizing acrylonitrile with acrylic acid resulted in an improvement in the fouling resistance of the membranes. The addition of 10% of acrylic acid to the polymer chain decreases the water contact angle from 71° to 43°, reducing both the total fouling and irreversible fouling compared to membranes made from a PAN homopolymer. The obtained membranes with a pore size of 32–55 nm demonstrated a pure toluene permeance of 84.8–130.4 L/(m²·h·bar) and asphaltene rejection from oil/toluene solutions (100 g/L) of 33–95%. An analysis of the asphaltene rejection values revealed that the addition of acrylic acid increases the rejection values in comparison to PAN membranes with the same pore size. Our results suggest that the acrylonitrile–acrylic acid copolymer ultrafiltration membranes have promising potential for the efficient removal of asphaltenes from crude oil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Organic/Inorganic Film Membranes and Advanced Materials (Volume III))

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14 pages, 4952 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of a Solvent-Resistant Nanofiltration Membrane of Liquefied Walnut Shell Modified by Ethylenediamine

by Ayang Zhou, Mingxue Cao, Demeng Qian, Jingyao Zhang and Yaping Sun

Membranes 2023, 13(8), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13080719 - 4 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1404

Abstract

N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) has excellent chemical stability and is widely used as an aprotic polar solvent. In order to reduce production costs and reduce pollution to the surrounding environment, it is necessary to recycle and reuse DMF. Previous research has found that the thin film composite nanofiltration membrane prepared from liquefied walnut shells exhibited a high rejection rate in DMF, but relatively low permeance and mechanical strength. In order to increase permeance without compromising the separation performance, ethylenediamine (EDA) is used as a modifier to graft onto the structure of liquefied walnut shell through the Mannich reaction. Then, modified liquefied walnut shell as an aqueous monomer reacts with trimesoyl chloride (TMC) via the interfacial polymerization method on the EDA-crosslinked polyetherimide (PEI) membrane. The results show that the permeance of the prepared membrane is significantly improved by an order of magnitude, demonstrating a rejection rate of 98% for crystal violet (CV), and a permeance of 3.53 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ in DMF. In conclusion, this study reveals the potential of utilizing liquefied walnut shells as raw materials for preparing high-performance separation membranes and demonstrates that surface modification is a feasible approach to enhance permeance of membranes without sacrificing the rejection rate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Organic/Inorganic Film Membranes and Advanced Materials (Volume III))

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12 pages, 5790 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structure and Physical Properties of Ceramic Materials Based on ZrO₂-Sc₂O₃ for SOFC Electrolytic Membranes Obtained from Powders of Melted Solid Solutions with a Similar Composition

by Dmitrii Agarkov, Mikhail Borik, Ekaterina Buzaeva, Galina Korableva, Alexey Kulebyakin, Irina Kuritsyna, Nataliya Larina, Vladimir Kyashkin, Elena Lomonova, Filipp Milovich, Valentina Myzina, Polina Ryabochkina, Nataliya Tabachkova and Denis Zakharov

Membranes 2023, 13(8), 717; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13080717 - 1 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1274

Abstract

This paper presents the results of studying the phase composition, luminescent characteristics, and ionic conductivity of ceramic scandium-stabilized solid solutions of zirconium dioxide containing 9 and 10 mol% Sc₂O₃. Ceramic samples were prepared by sintering powders obtained by grinding melted solid solutions of the same composition. A comparative analysis of the obtained data with similar characteristics of single crystals has been carried out. Differences in the phase composition of ceramics and initial single crystals were found. The effect of the structure and properties of grain boundaries on the ionic conductivity of ceramic samples is discussed. It is shown that the differences in the ionic conductivity of ceramic samples and crystals are mainly due to changes in the structure and phase composition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Organic/Inorganic Film Membranes and Advanced Materials (Volume III))

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13 pages, 3201 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on Tencel/LMPET–TPU/Triclosan Laminated Membranes: Excellent Water Resistance and Antimicrobial Ability

by Yue Zhang, Jia-Horng Lin, De-Hong Cheng, Xing Li, Hong-Yang Wang, Yan-Hua Lu and Ching-Wen Lou

Membranes 2023, 13(8), 703; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13080703 - 28 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1801

Abstract

Medical product contamination has become a threatening issue against human health, which is the main reason why protective nonwoven fabrics have gained considerable attention. In the present, there is a soaring number of studies on establishing protection systems with nonwoven composites via needle punch. Meanwhile, the disadvantages of composites, such as poor mechanical performance and texture, impose restrictions. Hence, in this study, an eco-friendly method composed of needling, hot pressing, and lamination is applied to produce water-resistant, windproof, and antimicrobial Tencel/low-melting-point polyester-thermoplastic polyurethane/Triclosan (Tencel/LMPET–TPU/TCL) laminated membranes. Field-emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and FTIR show needle-punched Tencel/LMPET membranes successfully coated with TPU/TCL laminated membranes, thereby extensively improving nonwoven membranes in terms of water-resistant, windproof, and antimicrobial attributes. Parameters including needle punch depth, content of LMPET fibers, and concentration of TCL are changed during the production. Specifically, Tencel/LMPET–TPU/TCL–0.1 laminated nonwovens acquire good water resistance (100 kPa), outstanding windproof performance (<0.1 cm³/cm²/s), and good antimicrobial ability against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Made with a green production process that is pollution-free, the proposed products are windproof, water resistant, and antimicrobial, which ensures promising uses in the medical and protective textile fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Organic/Inorganic Film Membranes and Advanced Materials (Volume III))

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15 pages, 5466 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication of Cellulose Acetate-Based Proton Exchange Membrane with Sulfonated SiO₂ and Plasticizers for Microbial Fuel Cell Applications

by Gowthami Palanisamy, Yeong Min Im, Ajmal P. Muhammed, Karvembu Palanisamy, Sadhasivam Thangarasu and Tae Hwan Oh

Membranes 2023, 13(6), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13060581 - 2 Jun 2023

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2631

Abstract

Developing a hybrid composite polymer membrane with desired functional and intrinsic properties has gained significant consideration in the fabrication of proton exchange membranes for microbial fuel cell applications. Among the different polymers, a naturally derived cellulose biopolymer has excellent benefits over synthetic polymers derived from petrochemical byproducts. However, the inferior physicochemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of biopolymers limit their benefits. In this study, we developed a new hybrid polymer composite of a semi-synthetic cellulose acetate (CA) polymer derivate incorporated with inorganic silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles, with or without a sulfonation (–SO₃H) functional group (sSiO₂). The excellent composite membrane formation was further improved by adding a plasticizer (glycerol (G)) and optimized by varying the SiO₂ concentration in the polymer membrane matrix. The composite membrane’s effectively improved physicochemical properties (water uptake, swelling ratio, proton conductivity, and ion exchange capacity) were identified because of the intramolecular bonding between the cellulose acetate, SiO₂, and plasticizer. The proton (H⁺) transfer properties were exhibited in the composite membrane by incorporating sSiO₂. The composite CAG–2% sSiO₂ membrane exhibited a higher proton conductivity (6.4 mS/cm) than the pristine CA membrane. The homogeneous incorporation of SiO₂ inorganic additives in the polymer matrix provided excellent mechanical properties. Due to the enhancement of the physicochemical, thermal, and mechanical properties, CAG–sSiO₂ can effectively be considered an eco-friendly, low-cost, and efficient proton exchange membrane for enhancing MFC performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Organic/Inorganic Film Membranes and Advanced Materials (Volume III))

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