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Membranes
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Advance in Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor
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Advance in Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 August 2022) | Viewed by 16679

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Julie Mendret

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Guest Editor
Institut Européen des Membranes (IEM), UMR Université Montpellier 2, Place E. Bataillon, F-34095 Montpellier, France
Interests: wastewater reuse; membrane filtration; photocatalysis/hybrid process
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Stephan Brosillon

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institut Européen des Membranes (IEM), UMR Université Montpellier, 2 Place E. Bataillon, F-34095 Montpellier, France
Interests: wastewater reuse; ozonation; membrane filtration; photocatalysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The lack of access to clean water remains a severe issue all over the world. In this way, coupling photocatalysis with membrane filtration, which is known as a photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR), is gaining popularity as a water treatment alternative. The development of hybrid materials exhibiting the simultaneous action of photocatalysis and membrane filtration can lead to improved water treatment processes. In addition, photocatalysis can greatly improve membrane processes by limiting fouling formation. There has been considerable progress in the development of photocatalytic membrane reactors, which will soon be seen on the water/wastewater treatment market. This Special Issue highlights some of the recent advances in PMRs: membrane elaboration, reactor configuration, and possible application in water treatment. Research areas may include but are not limited to the following: effect of irradiation time and light intensity on membrane material; progress in the configuration and operational parameters of PMRs; and development prospects for practical applications (process efficiency and light source).

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Julie Mendret
Prof. Dr. Stephan Brosillon
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

  • composite membrane
  • membrane filtration
  • low-fouling membrane
  • UV irradiation
  • process intensification

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 200 KiB  
Editorial
Advances in Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor
by Julie Mendret and Stephan Brosillon
Membranes 2023, 13(6), 541; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13060541 - 23 May 2023
Viewed by 1312
Abstract
Photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs) are a promising technology that combines the benefits of photocatalysis and membrane separation [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

13 pages, 5269 KiB  
Article
Al2O3-Based Hollow Fiber Membranes Functionalized by Nitrogen-Doped Titanium Dioxide for Photocatalytic Degradation of Ammonia Gas
by Edoardo Magnone, Jae Yeon Hwang, Min Chang Shin, Xuelong Zhuang, Jeong In Lee and Jung Hoon Park
Membranes 2022, 12(7), 693; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12070693 - 6 Jul 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2119
Abstract
In recent years, reactive ammonia (NH3) has emerged as a major source of indoor air pollution. In this study, Al2O3-based hollow fiber membranes functionalized with nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide were produced and successfully applied for efficient heterogeneous photocatalytic [...] Read more.
In recent years, reactive ammonia (NH3) has emerged as a major source of indoor air pollution. In this study, Al2O3-based hollow fiber membranes functionalized with nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide were produced and successfully applied for efficient heterogeneous photocatalytic NH3 gas degradation. Al2O3 hollow fiber membranes were prepared using the phase inversion process. A dip-coating technique was used to deposit titanium dioxide (TiO2) and nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (N-TiO2) thin films on well-cleaned Al2O3-based hollow fiber membranes. All heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation tests of NH3 gas were performed with both UV and visible light irradiation at room temperature. The nitrogen doping effects on the NH3 heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation capacity of TiO2 were investigated, and the effect of the number of membranes (30, 36, 42, and 48 membranes) of the prototype lab-scale photocatalytic membrane reactor, with a modular design, on the performances in different light conditions was also elucidated. Moreover, under ultraviolet and visible light, the initial concentration of gaseous NH3 was reduced to zero after only fifteen minutes in a prototype lab-scale stage with a photocatalytic membrane reactor based on an N-TiO2 photocatalyst. The number of Al2O3-based hollow fiber membranes functionalized with N-TiO2 photocatalysts increases the capacity for NH3 heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor)
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14 pages, 3640 KiB  
Article
Understanding Aging Mechanisms in the Context of UV Irradiation of a Low Fouling and Self-Cleaning PVDF-PVP-TiO2 Hollow-Fiber Membrane
by Emma Roubaud, William Maréchal, Olivier Lorain, Lina Lamaa, Laure Peruchon, Cédric Brochier, Julie Mendret, Jean-Pierre Mericq, Stephan Brosillon, Catherine Faur and Christel Causserand
Membranes 2022, 12(5), 538; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12050538 - 21 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2269
Abstract
In the context of designing a photocatalytic self-cleaning/low-fouling membrane, the stability of PVDF-PVP-TiO2 hollow-fiber membranes under UV irradiation has been studied. The effect of irradiation power, aqueous environment composition and fouling state on the properties of the membranes has been investigated. With [...] Read more.
In the context of designing a photocatalytic self-cleaning/low-fouling membrane, the stability of PVDF-PVP-TiO2 hollow-fiber membranes under UV irradiation has been studied. The effect of irradiation power, aqueous environment composition and fouling state on the properties of the membranes has been investigated. With this aim, SEM observations, chemical analysis and tensile strength measurements have been conducted. The results indicate that pristine membranes that undergo UV irradiation in ultra-pure water are significantly degraded due to attacks of OH° radicals. However, when methylene blue, used as a model pollutant, is introduced in the aqueous environment, OH° radicals preferentially react with this molecule rather than the membranes, successfully preserving the original properties of the latter. The presence of an adsorbed BSA layer (pre-fouling by immersion) on the surface of the membrane delays membrane aging, as the BSA layer is degraded by radicals instead of the membrane material. The degradation of the BSA layer also validates the self-cleaning properties of the membrane. However, when membranes are pre-fouled by filtration of a 2 g/L BSA solution, delay to aging is less. This is because OH° radicals do not reach BSA molecules that are trapped inside the membrane pores, and therefore react with the membrane material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor)
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14 pages, 6029 KiB  
Article
A Novel BiOCl Based Nanocomposite Membrane for Water Desalination
by Rokhsareh Akbarzadeh and Patrick Gathura Ndungu
Membranes 2022, 12(5), 505; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12050505 - 10 May 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2697
Abstract
In this study, BiOCl based nanocomposites were used as photocatalytic membranes for a simulated study on water desalination in reverse osmosis membrane systems. Through molecular dynamic simulation, the molecular structure of BiOCl, BiOCl/Ag2S and BiOCl/Bi2O3 heterojunctions were designed [...] Read more.
In this study, BiOCl based nanocomposites were used as photocatalytic membranes for a simulated study on water desalination in reverse osmosis membrane systems. Through molecular dynamic simulation, the molecular structure of BiOCl, BiOCl/Ag2S and BiOCl/Bi2O3 heterojunctions were designed and their electronic properties, mechanical properties, and membrane performance for water desalination were evaluated for the first time. The molecular structure was created, and a geometry optimization task was used to optimize it. Material Studio 2019 CASTEP was used for simulation of the electronic and mechanical properties and water desalination was performed by ReaxFF software under pressures between 0 and 250 MPa. The novel BiOCl based nanocomposites showed improved electronic and mechanical properties and, most importantly, improvements in salt rejection and water permeability as compared to well-known materials such as graphene and MoS2. BiOCl and BiOCl/Ag2S had a bandgap around two, which is the ideal bandgap for semiconductor photocatalysts. A salt rejection of 98% was achieved under an applied pressure of 10 MPa. Salt rejection was higher for BiOCl/Bi2O3, while water permeability was higher for BiOCl/Ag2S. The monolayer BiOCl was unstable under pressures higher than 50 MPa, but the mechanical stability of BiOCl/Ag2S increased twofold and increased fourfold for BiOCl/Bi2O3, which is even higher than MoS2. However, between the three nanocomposites, BiOCl/Ag2S was found to be the most ideal photocatalytic nanocomposite membrane. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor)
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15 pages, 36936 KiB  
Article
Performance of PVDF-TiO2 Membranes during Photo-Filtration in the Presence of Inorganic and Organic Components
by Duc-Trung Tran, Julie Mendret, Jean-Pierre Méricq, Catherine Faur and Stephan Brosillon
Membranes 2022, 12(2), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12020245 - 21 Feb 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1797
Abstract
In this study, the anti-fouling performance of PVDF-TiO2 composite membranes, indicated by their permeate flux, was studied with different types of synthetic feed solutions. Photo-filtration (filtration under continuous UV irradiation) of solutions containing inorganic and organic components, which are ubiquitous in drinking/natural [...] Read more.
In this study, the anti-fouling performance of PVDF-TiO2 composite membranes, indicated by their permeate flux, was studied with different types of synthetic feed solutions. Photo-filtration (filtration under continuous UV irradiation) of solutions containing inorganic and organic components, which are ubiquitous in drinking/natural water, was performed to evaluate their influence on the photo-induced properties and performance of the membranes. The results indicated that inorganic fouling was unlikely to occur on PVDF-TiO2 membranes, and the presence of common inorganic ions in drinking water did not hinder their performance. However, in the particular case where a small amount of Cu2+ coexisted alongside HCO3− in the feed solution, inorganic fouling occurred, causing severe flux decline and prohibiting the photo-induced properties of the membranes. On the other hand, when used to filter organic fouling solutions, the membranes showed strong resistance to sodium alginate fouling, and less so for humic acids. In terms of separation efficiency, the membranes showed no advantages when operated in photo-filtration mode, as the rejection rate of both foulants under photo-filtration was not higher than that under normal filtration. In the case of humic acids, the photodegradation of humic substances into smaller compounds that were able to enter the permeate stream led to a lower rejection rate. Nevertheless, photo-filtration of these organic foulants still offered a higher permeate flux than normal filtration, up to a certain concentration level (5 mg/L for humic acids and 50 mg/L for sodium alginate). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor)
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21 pages, 3935 KiB  
Article
Influence of Preparation Temperature on the Properties and Performance of Composite PVDF-TiO2 Membranes
by Duc-Trung Tran, Jean-Pierre Méricq, Julie Mendret, Stephan Brosillon and Catherine Faur
Membranes 2021, 11(11), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11110876 - 15 Nov 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2708
Abstract
Composite PVDF-TiO2 membranes are studied extensively in literature as effective anti-fouling membranes with photocatalytic properties. Yet, a full understanding of how preparation parameters affect the final membrane structure, properties and performance has not been realized. In this study, PVDF-TiO2 membranes (20 [...] Read more.
Composite PVDF-TiO2 membranes are studied extensively in literature as effective anti-fouling membranes with photocatalytic properties. Yet, a full understanding of how preparation parameters affect the final membrane structure, properties and performance has not been realized. In this study, PVDF-TiO2 membranes (20 wt% TiO2/PVDF) were fabricated via the non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) method with an emphasis on the preparation temperature. Then, a systematic approach was employed to study the evolution of the membrane formation process and membrane properties when the preparation temperature changed, as well as to establish a link between them. Typical asymmetric membranes with a high porosity were obtained, along with a vast improvement in the permeate flux compared to the neat PVDF membranes, but a reduction in mechanical strength was also observed. Interestingly, upon the increase in preparation temperature, a significant transition in membrane morphology was observed, notably the gradual diminution of the finger-like macrovoids. Other membrane properties such as permeability, porosity, thermal and mechanical properties, and compression behavior were also influenced accordingly. Together, the establishment of the ternary phase diagrams, the study of solvent–nonsolvent exchange rate, and the direct microscopic observation of membrane formation during phase separation, helped explain such evolution in membrane properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor)
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Review

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40 pages, 5717 KiB  
Review
Interdependence of Kinetics and Fluid Dynamics in the Design of Photocatalytic Membrane Reactors
by Vimbainashe Chakachaka, Charmaine Tshangana, Oranso Mahlangu, Bhekie Mamba and Adolph Muleja
Membranes 2022, 12(8), 745; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12080745 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2968
Abstract
Photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs) are a promising technology for wastewater reclamation. The principles of PMRs are based on photocatalytic degradation and membrane rejection, the different processes occurring simultaneously. Coupled photocatalysis and membrane filtration has made PMRs suitable for application in the removal of [...] Read more.
Photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs) are a promising technology for wastewater reclamation. The principles of PMRs are based on photocatalytic degradation and membrane rejection, the different processes occurring simultaneously. Coupled photocatalysis and membrane filtration has made PMRs suitable for application in the removal of emerging contaminants (ECs), such as diclofenac, carbamazepine, ibuprofen, lincomycin, diphenhydramine, rhodamine, and tamoxifen, from wastewater, while reducing the likelihood of byproducts being present in the permeate stream. The viability of PMRs depends on the hypotheses used during design and the kinetic properties of the systems. The choice of design models and the assumptions made in their application can have an impact on reactor design outcomes. A design’s resilience is due to the development of a mathematical model that links material and mass balances to various sub-models, including the fluid dynamic model, the radiation emission model, the radiation absorption model, and the kinetic model. Hence, this review addresses the discrepancies with traditional kinetic models, fluid flow dynamics, and radiation emission and absorption, all of which have an impact on upscaling and reactor design. Computational and analytical descriptions of how to develop a PMR system with high throughput, performance, and energy efficiency are provided. The potential solutions are classified according to the catalyst, fluid dynamics, thickness, geometry, and light source used. Two main PMR types are comprehensively described, and a discussion of various influential factors relating to PMRs was used as a premise for developing an ideal reactor. The aim of this work was to resolve potential divergences that occur during PMRs design as most real reactors do not conform to the idealized fluid dynamics. Lastly, the application of PMRs is evaluated, not only in relation to the removal of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) from wastewater, but also in dye, oil, heavy metals, and pesticide removal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor)
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