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A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor ‪Victor Nikonenko

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A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 20771

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Prof. Dr. Lasâad Dammak

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Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), UMR 7182 CNRS, Université Paris-Est, 2 Rue Henri Dunant, 94320 Thiais, France
Interests: ion-exchange membrane; dialysis; electrodialysis; membrane characterization; fouling; scaling; antifouling strategies; microstructure modeling; water treatment
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Prof. Dr. Natalia Pismenskaya

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Department of Physical Chemistry, Kuban State University, 149 Stavropolskaya st., 350040 Krasnodar, Russia
Interests: ion exchange membranes (monopoler, bipoler) and processes (electrodialysis, dialisis, etc.); transport phenomena in systems with ion exchange membranes (IEMs); concentration polarization, limiting current, coupled phenomena of concentration polarization (water splitting, electroconvection, gravitation convection, etc.); chemical reactions coupled with ions transfer in ampholyte (phosphates, ammonium, aminoacids, proteins, etc.) contaning IEM systems; IEMs fouling; IEM modification; IEM characterization (specific electrical conductivity, diffusion permeability, perselectivity, transport numbers, structure–properties relationship, current–voltage characteristics, chronopotentiommetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, mass transfer characteristics, etc.); experimental techniques development for IEM and membrane system investigation
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Dear Colleagues,

Everyone meets, in both their social and professional life, a lot of people. Some of them leave a positive mark, while, unfortunately, the great majority pass unnoticed. All those who had the chance to meet Professor Victor Nikonenko on their way attest to the greatness of this man who gave and continues to give all his time, all his knowledge, all his energy, and all his life to the science of ion-exchange membranes and their associated processes.

A few words for those who do not know or have not heard of Professor Victor Nikonenko. Professor Victor Nikonenko is a great membrane specialist with encyclopedic knowledge, showing open-mindedness for discussion, reflection and collaboration. He displays excellent skills in analyzing complex physical and chemical phenomena and applies a very rigorous theoretical and/or experimental methodology. He is easygoing and adapts his communication style to the level of his interlocutor, and above all he has boundless devotion to his team.

Professor Victor Nikonenko has become a mainstay of the scientific and international community working in the field of ion-exchange membranes and processes. His numerous scientific collaborative projects with European, American and Asian groups took various forms and have been successful. Thanks to him, a large number of young people have been trained. Many professional careers have been shaped by his advice and his unrivaled scientific generosity. Significant scientific achievements would not have been achieved without his strong participation. Multilateral and transcontinental cooperation could not have started without his help and contribution.

To express our sincere gratitude and consideration to this scientific giant, we would like to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue edited in honor of our friend, colleague, and master, Victor Nikonenko. This is the moment to say many thanks and a huge bravo for all he has done for our community.

The scope of the Special Issue is as wide as the scientific horizons of Victor Nikonenko, including but not limited to:

Commercial, experimental and modified ion-exchange membranes (monopolar, bipolar, mosaic, composite, multilayer; organic, inorganic; homogeneous, heterogeneous, etc.);
Commercial, experimental and modified ion-exchange membranes transport characteristics, structure-properties relationship;
Concentration polarization and coupled phenomena (water splitting, electroconvection, gravitational convection, etc.) occurring when an electric field is applied;
Mathematical modeling of the relationship structure–transport properties of membranes, phenomena of transfer and selectivity in an electric field and in its absence;
Ion-exchange membranes’ behavior in various modules and processes (dialysis, electrodialysis, electrolysis, capacitive deionization, fuel cells, microfluidic devices, bioreactors, potentiometric sensors, etc.);
Ion-exchange membranes’ fouling, scaling and ways to counter these phenomena;
New methods of studying the properties of ion exchange membranes and membrane systems;
Novel areas of ion-exchange membranes’ use and their application in hybrid and combined membrane technologies of the circular economy.

Prof. Dr. Lasâad Dammak
Prof. Dr. Natalia Pismenskaya
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.

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

4 pages, 217 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor Victor Nikonenko

by Lasâad Dammak and Natalia Pismenskaya

Membranes 2023, 13(9), 774; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13090774 - 1 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1091

Abstract

Victor Nikonenko is celebrating his 70th birthday this year [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor ‪Victor Nikonenko)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

16 pages, 17977 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anion-Exchange Membrane “Polikon A” Based on Polyester Fiber Fabric (Functionalized by Low-Temperature High-Frequency Plasma) with Oxidized Metal Nanoparticles

by Denis Terin, Marina Kardash, Denis Ainetdinov, Timur Turaev and Ilya Sinev

Membranes 2023, 13(8), 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13080742 - 18 Aug 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1525

Abstract

An experimental laboratory set of samples of composite heterogeneous anion-exchange membranes was obtained by us for the development of our original method of polycondensation filling. Anion-exchange membranes were prepared on plasma-treated and non-plasma-treated polyester fiber fabrics. The fabric was treated with low-temperature argon plasma at a power of 400 W for 10 min at a pressure of 5 × 10⁻⁵ mbar. On the surface and bulk of the polyester fiber, a polyfunctional anionite of mixed basicity was synthesized and formed. The anion-exchange membrane contained secondary and tertiary amino groups and quaternary ammonium groups, which were obtained from polyethylene polyamines and epichlorohydrins. At the stage of the chemical synthesis of the anion matrix, oxidized nanoparticles (~1.5 wt.%) of silicon, nickel, and iron were added to the monomerization composition. The use of ion-plasma processing of fibers in combination with the introduction of oxidized nanoparticles at the synthesis stage makes it possible to influence the speed and depth of the synthesis and curing processes; this changes the formation of the surface morphology and the internal structure of the ion-exchange polymer matrix, as well as the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance and—as a result—the different operational characteristics of anion-exchange membranes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor ‪Victor Nikonenko)

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16 pages, 4488 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrogen Permeability of Composite Pd–Au/Pd–Cu Membranes and Methods for Their Preparation

by Polina Pushankina, Georgy Andreev and Iliya Petriev

Membranes 2023, 13(7), 649; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13070649 - 6 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1773

Abstract

Thin Pd–40%Cu films were obtained via the classical melting and rolling method, magnetron sputtering, and modified with nanostructured functional coatings to intensify the process of hydrogen transportation. The films were modified by electrodeposition, according to the classical method of obtaining palladium black and “Pd–Au nanoflowers” with spherical and pentagonal particles, respectively. The experiment results demonstrated the highest catalytic activity (89.47 mA cm⁻²), good resistance to CO poisoning and long-term stability of Pd–40%Cu films with a pentagonal structured coating. The investigation of the developed membranes in the hydrogen transport processes in the temperature range of 25–300 °C also demonstrated high and stable fluxes of up to 475.28 mmol s⁻¹ m⁻² (deposited membranes) and 59.41 mmol s⁻¹ m⁻² (dense metal membranes), which were up to 1.5 higher, compared with membrane materials with classic niello. For all-metal modified membranes, the increase in flux was up to sevenfold, compared with a smooth membrane made of pure palladium, and for deposited films, this difference was manyfold. The membrane materials’ selectivity was also high, up to 4419. The developed strategy for modifying membrane materials with functional coatings of a fundamentally new complex geometry can shed new light on the development and fabrication of durable and highly selective palladium-based membranes for gas steam reformers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor ‪Victor Nikonenko)

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18 pages, 3897 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrokinetic and Electroconvective Effects in Ternary Electrolyte Near Ion-Selective Microsphere

by Georgy S. Ganchenko, Maxim S. Alekseev, Ilya A. Moroz, Semyon A. Mareev, Vladimir S. Shelistov and Evgeny A. Demekhin

Membranes 2023, 13(5), 503; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13050503 - 10 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1385

Abstract

The paper presents theoretical and experimental investigations of the behavior of an electrolyte solution with three types of ions near an ion-selective microparticle with electrokinetically and pressure-driven flow. A special experimental cell has been developed for the investigations. An anion-selective spherical particle composed of ion-exchange resin is fixed in the center of the cell. An enriched region with a high salt concentration appears at the anode side of the particle when an electric field is turned on, according to the nonequilibrium electrosmosis behavior. A similar region exists near a flat anion-selective membrane. However, the enriched region near the particle produces a concentration jet that spreads downstream akin to a wake behind an axisymmetrical body. The fluorescent cations of Rhodamine-6G dye are chosen as the third species in the experiments. The ions of Rhodamine-6G have a 10-fold lower diffusion coefficient than the ions of potassium while bearing the same valency. This paper shows that the concentration jet behavior is described accurately enough with the mathematical model of a far axisymmetric wake behind a body in a fluid flow. The third species also forms an enriched jet, but its distribution turns out to be more complex. The concentration of the third species increases in the jet with an increase in pressure gradient. The pressure-driven flow stabilizes the jet, yet electroconvection has been observed near the microparticle for sufficiently strong electric fields. The electrokinetic instability and the electroconvection partially destroy the concentration jet of salt and the third species. The conducted experiments show good qualitative agreement with the numerical simulations. The presented results could be used in future for implementing microdevices based on membrane technology for solving problems of detection and preconcentration, and thus simplifying chemical and medical analyses utilizing the superconcentration phenomenon. Such devices are called membrane sensors, and are actively being studied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor ‪Victor Nikonenko)

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15 pages, 7143 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ion Transport in Electromembrane Systems under the Passage of Direct Current: 1D Modelling Approaches

by Aminat Uzdenova

Membranes 2023, 13(4), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13040421 - 8 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1768

Abstract

For a theoretical analysis of mass transfer processes in electromembrane systems, the Nernst–Planck and Poisson equations (NPP) are generally used. In the case of 1D direct-current-mode modelling, a fixed potential (for example, zero) is set on one of the boundaries of the considered region, and on the other—a condition connecting the spatial derivative of the potential and the given current density. Therefore, in the approach based on the system of NPP equations, the accuracy of the solution is significantly affected by the accuracy of calculating the concentration and potential fields at this boundary. This article proposes a new approach to the description of the direct current mode in electromembrane systems, which does not require boundary conditions on the derivative of the potential. The essence of the approach is to replace the Poisson equation in the NPP system with the equation for the displacement current (NPD). Based on the system of NPD equations, the concentration profiles and the electric field were calculated in the depleted diffusion layer near the ion-exchange membrane, as well as in the cross section of the desalination channel under the direct current passage. The NPD system, as well as NPP, allows one to describe the formation of an extended space charge region near the surface of the ion-exchange membrane, which is important for describing overlimiting current modes. Comparison of the direct-current-mode modelling approaches based on NPP and NPD showed that the calculation time is less for the NPP approach, but the calculation accuracy is higher for the NPD approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor ‪Victor Nikonenko)

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14 pages, 2023 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis for Cleaner Production of Diprotic Malic Acid: Separation Mechanism and Performance Evaluation

by Jinfeng He, Rong Zhou, Zhiguo Dong, Junying Yan, Xixi Ma, Wenlong Liu, Li Sun, Chuanrun Li, Haiyang Yan, Yaoming Wang and Tongwen Xu

Membranes 2023, 13(2), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13020197 - 5 Feb 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2071

Abstract

Bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) is a promising process for the cleaner production of organic acid. In this study, the separation mechanism of BMED with different cell configurations, i.e., BP-A, BP-A-C, and BP-C (BP, bipolar membrane; A, anion exchange membrane; C, cation exchange membrane), to produce diprotic malic acid from sodium malate was compared in consideration of the conversion ratio, current efficiency and energy consumption. Additionally, the current density and feed concentration were investigated to optimize the BMED performance. Results indicate that the conversion ratio follows BP-C > BP-A-C > BP-A, the current efficiency follows BP-A-C > BP-C > BP-A, and the energy consumption follows BP-C < BP-A-C < BP-A. For the optimized BP-C configuration, the current density was optimized as 40 mA/cm² in consideration of low total process cost; high feed concentration (0.5–1.0 mol/L) is more feasible to produce diprotic malic acid due to the high conversion ratio (73.4–76.2%), high current efficiency (88.6–90.7%), low energy consumption (0.66–0.71 kWh/kg) and low process cost (0.58–0.59 USD/kg). Moreover, a high concentration of by-product NaOH (1.3497 mol/L) can be directly recycled to the upstream process. Therefore, BMED is a cleaner, high-efficient, low energy consumption and environmentally friendly process to produce diprotic malic acid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor ‪Victor Nikonenko)

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21 pages, 3973 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Hierarchical Cation-Exchange Membranes’ Chemistry and Crosslinking Level on Electrodialysis Demineralization Performances of a Complex Food Solution

by Elodie Khetsomphou, Francesco Deboli, Mateusz L. Donten and Laurent Bazinet

Membranes 2023, 13(1), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13010107 - 13 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2880

Abstract

Hierarchical cation-exchange membranes (hCEMs) fabricated by blade coating and UV crosslinking of ionomer on top of a porous substrate demonstrated promising results in performing NaCl demineralization. In the food industry, complex solutions are used and hCEMs were never investigated before for these food applications. The performances of two different coating chemistries (urethane acrylate based: UL, and acrylic acid based: EbS) and three crosslinking degrees (UL5, UL6, UL7 for UL formulations, and EbS-1, EbS-2, EbS-3 for EbS formulations) were formulated. The impacts of hCEMs properties and crosslinking density on whey demineralization performances by electrodialysis (ED) were evaluated and compared to CMX, a high performing CEM for whey demineralization by ED. The crosslinking density had an impact on the hCEMs area specific resistance, and on the ionic conductance for EbS membrane. However, 70% demineralization of 18% whey solution was reached for the first time for hCEMs without any fouling observed, and with comparable performances to the CMX benchmark. Although some properties were impacted by the crosslinking density, the global performances in ED (limiting current, demineralization duration, global system resistance, energy consumption, current efficiency) for EbS and UL6 membranes were similar to the CMX benchmark. These promising results suggest the possible application of these hCEMs (UL6, EbS-2, and EbS-3) for whey demineralization by ED and more generally complex products as an alternative in the food industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor ‪Victor Nikonenko)

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15 pages, 2450 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Current-Voltage and Transport Characteristics of Heterogeneous Ion-Exchange Membranes in Electrodialysis of Solutions Containing a Heterocyclic Amino Acid and a Strong Electrolyte

by Tatiana Eliseeva and Anastasiia Kharina

Membranes 2023, 13(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13010098 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1828

Abstract

The alterations in current-voltage and transport characteristics of highly basic and strongly acidic ion-exchange membranes, during the electrodialysis of solutions containing a heterocyclic amino acid and a strong electrolyte, were studied. An increase in the catalytic activity of the water splitting process at the surface of heterogeneous MK-40 and MA-41 membranes upon prolonged contact with proline and tryptophan solutions was found. A significant effect of electroconvection on the components mass transfer through the cation-exchange membrane in the intensive current mode of electrodialysis was revealed for the solution containing a heterocyclic amino acid along with mineral salt (NaCl). This led to a reduction in the length of the “plateau” of the membrane’s current-voltage characteristics, in comparison with the characteristics for an individual sodium chloride solution with the same concentration. The changes in the characteristics of the studied ion-exchange membranes caused by contact with solutions containing heterocyclic amino acids during electrodialysis were reversible when applying electrochemical regeneration (cleaning in place) using the overlimiting current mode, corresponding to the region of facilitated transport for these ampholytes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor ‪Victor Nikonenko)

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17 pages, 1835 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Short-Term Stability of Electrochemical Properties of Layer-by-Layer Coated Heterogeneous Ion Exchange Membranes

by Veronika Sarapulova, Ekaterina Nevakshenova, Kseniia Tsygurina, Valentina Ruleva, Anna Kirichenko and Ksenia Kirichenko

Membranes 2023, 13(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13010045 - 29 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1461

Abstract

Layer-by-layer adsorption allows the creation of versatile functional coatings for ion exchange membranes, but the stability of the coating and resulting properties of modified membranes in their operation is a frequently asked question. This paper examines the changes in voltammetric curves of layer-by-layer coated cation exchange membranes and pH-metry of desalination chamber with a studied membrane and an auxiliary anion exchange membrane after short-term tests, including over-limiting current modes. The practical operation of the membranes did not affect the voltammetric curves, but enhanced the generation of H⁺ and OH⁻ ions in a system with polyethylenimine modified membrane in Ca²⁺ containing solution. It is shown that a distinction between the voltammetric curves of the membranes modified and the different polyamines persists during the operation and that, in the case of polyethylenimine, there is an additional zone of growth of potential drop in voltammetric curves and stronger generation of H⁺ and OH⁻ ions as indicated by pH-metry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor ‪Victor Nikonenko)

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18 pages, 4046 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electromass Transfer in the System “Cation Exchange Membrane—Ammonium Nitrate Solution”

by Olga Kozaderova, Oleg Kozaderov and Sabukhi Niftaliev

Membranes 2022, 12(11), 1144; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12111144 - 15 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1859

Abstract

The paper describes an experimental study and the mathematical simulation of the electromembrane transfer of cations of weak electrolytes (namely, ammonium ions), hindered by hydrolysis reactions taking place in the surface layers of the cation exchange membrane. Using the finite element method, we found a solution to the corresponding diffusion-kinetic electrodialysis problem in potentiostatic mode. Based on the experimental data and the results of theoretical simulation, we analyzed the effect of hydrolysis on the concentration polarization of the electromembrane system and the transport characteristics of ions, and suggested a mechanism of transfer of the components of the ammonium nitrate solution through the cation exchange membrane. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor ‪Victor Nikonenko)

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20 pages, 3785 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multisensory Systems Based on Perfluorosulfonic Acid Membranes Modified with Functionalized CNTs for Determination of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim in Pharmaceuticals

by Anna Parshina, Anastasia Yelnikova, Ekaterina Safronova, Tatyana Kolganova, Victoria Kuleshova, Olga Bobreshova and Andrey Yaroslavtsev

Membranes 2022, 12(11), 1091; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12111091 - 2 Nov 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1469

Abstract

Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are synthetic bacteriostatic drugs. A potentiometric multisensory system for the analysis of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination drugs was developed. Perfluorosulfonic acid membranes containing functionalized CNTs were used as the sensor materials. The CNTs’ surface was modified by carboxyl, sulfonic acid, or (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilanol groups. The influence of the CNT concentration and the properties of their surface, as well as preliminary ultrasonic treatment of the polymer and CNT solution before the casting of hybrid membranes, on their ion-exchange capacity, water uptake, and transport properties was revealed. Cross-sensitivity of the sensors to the analytes was achieved due to ion exchange and hydrophobic interactions with hybrid membranes. An array of cross-sensitive sensors based on the membranes containing 1.0 wt% of CNTs with sulfonic acid or (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilanol groups enabled us to provide the simultaneous determination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in aqueous solutions with a concentration ranging from 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.0 × 10⁻³ M (pH 4.53–8.31). The detection limits of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim were 3.5 × 10⁻⁷ and 1.3 × 10⁻⁷ M. The relative errors of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim determination in the combination drug as compared with the content declared by the manufacturer were 4% (at 6% RSD) and 5% (at 7% RSD). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor ‪Victor Nikonenko)

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A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor ‪Victor Nikonenko

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