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Membranes
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Surface and Interface Engineering of Polymeric Membrane
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Surface and Interface Engineering of Polymeric Membrane

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2022) | Viewed by 14217

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Rafael Torres-Mendieta

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 1402/2, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic
Interests: physico-chemistry; laser synthesis of nanomaterials; surface modification of nanomaterials; membranes; wastewater treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymeric membrane interface and surface engineering are among the most convenient and powerful practices for expanding polymeric membranes' capabilities. Given the virtually unlimited options that the current physical and chemical approaches provide, many sectors benefit from such materials, resulting in significant repercussions for developing technologies that perk in humankind's well-being. Some of the most remarkable examples are the surface wettability or pore size manipulation of filter membranes to increment their water recovery performance and resistance against the allocation of foulants. The electrolyte penetration enhancement accompanied by the membrane's thermal and mechanical robustness to improve lithium-ion battery separators. Liquid retention and proton conductivity control in membranes for increasing the proton exchange in fuel cells. Inclusion of selected functional molecules or nanoparticles over the membrane's surface to provide micro-dost capturing, manipulate cell growing, or very recently to degrade organic pollutants found in the environment.

Considering the ever-increasing impact on these and many more priority fields for the development of our society, we invite authors to contribute to this Special Issue dedicated to collect key contributions related to the Surface and Interface Engineering of Polymeric Membranes with their original research and comprehensive review articles. The potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Surface engineering and functionalization of polymeric membranes and their applications
  • Polymeric membranes interface manipulation and applications
  • Fundamental mechanisms behind the surface and interface modification of polymeric membranes
  • Functional nanostructured polymeric membranes
  • Sustainability footprint behind the surface and interface manipulation of polymeric membranes
  • Novel properties derived from the surface and interface engineering of polymeric membranes

Dr. Rafael Torres-Mendieta
Guest Editor

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

  • membrane surface
  • membrane interface
  • polymer materials
  • modification mechanism
  • surface properties
  • interface engineering

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 7129 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Mechanically Enhanced, Suturable, Fibrous Hydrogel Membranes
by Constantinos Voniatis, Olivér Závoti, Kenigen Manikion, Bálint Budavári and Angela Jedlovszky Hajdu
Membranes 2023, 13(1), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13010116 - 16 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1896
Abstract
Poly(vinyl-alcohol) hydrogels have already been successfully utilised as drug carrier systems and tissue engineering scaffolds. However, lacking mechanical strength and suturability hinders any prospects for clinical and surgical applications. The objective of this work was to fabricate mechanically robust PVA membranes, which could [...] Read more.
Poly(vinyl-alcohol) hydrogels have already been successfully utilised as drug carrier systems and tissue engineering scaffolds. However, lacking mechanical strength and suturability hinders any prospects for clinical and surgical applications. The objective of this work was to fabricate mechanically robust PVA membranes, which could also withstand surgical manipulation and suturing. Electrospun membranes and control hydrogels were produced with 61 kDa PVA. Using a high-speed rotating cylindrical collector, we achieved fibre alignment (fibre diameter: 300 ± 50 nm). Subsequently, we created multilayered samples with different orientations to achieve multidirectional reinforcement. Finally, utilising glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker, we created insoluble fibrous-hydrogel membranes. Mechanical studies were performed, confirming a fourfold increase in the specific loading capacities (from 0.21 to 0.84 Nm2/g) in the case of the monolayer samples. The multilayered membranes exhibited increased resistance from both horizontal and vertical directions, which varies according to the specific arrangement. Finally, the cross-linked fibrous hydrogel samples not only exhibited specific loading capacities significantly higher than their counterpart bulk hydrogels but successfully withstood suturing. Although cross-linking optimisation and animal experiments are required, these membranes have great prospects as alternatives to current surgical meshes, while the methodology could also be applied in other systems as well. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface and Interface Engineering of Polymeric Membrane)
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12 pages, 3127 KiB  
Article
Fouling and Mitigation Behavior of Foulants on Ion Exchange Membranes with Surface Property in Reverse Electrodialysis
by Mahamuda Akter and Jin-Soo Park
Membranes 2023, 13(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13010106 - 13 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2743
Abstract
In this study, two different types of ion exchange membranes are used to investigate the tendency of membrane fouling with respect to surface roughness and hydrophilicity. Commercially available membranes reinforced by electrospun nanofiber have rough and hydrophilic surfaces, and lab-made pore-filling membranes exhibit [...] Read more.
In this study, two different types of ion exchange membranes are used to investigate the tendency of membrane fouling with respect to surface roughness and hydrophilicity. Commercially available membranes reinforced by electrospun nanofiber have rough and hydrophilic surfaces, and lab-made pore-filling membranes exhibit a smooth and hydrophobic surface. Three different organic surfactants (i.e., cationic, anionic and non-ionic surfactants) are chosen as foulants with similar molecular weights. It is confirmed that membrane fouling by electrical attraction mainly occurs, in which anionic and cationic foulants influence anion and cation exchange membranes, respectively. Thus, less fouling is obtained on both membranes for the non-charged foulant. The membranes with a rough surface show a higher fouling tendency than those with a smooth surface in the short-term continuous fouling tests. However, during the cyclic operations of fouling and mitigation of the commercially available membranes, the irregularities of a rough membrane surface cause a rapid increase in electrical resistance from the beginning of fouling due to excessive adsorption on the surface, but the fouling is easily mitigated due to the hydrophilic surface. On the other hand, the membranes with a smooth surface show alleviated fouling from the beginning of fouling, but the irreversible fouling occurs as foulants accumulate on the hydrophobic surface which causes membrane fouling to be favorable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface and Interface Engineering of Polymeric Membrane)
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12 pages, 5430 KiB  
Article
Dyeable Hydrophilic Surface Modification for PTFE Substrates by Surface Fluorination
by Mizuki Kobayashi, Fumihiro Nishimura, Jae-Ho Kim and Susumu Yonezawa
Membranes 2023, 13(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13010057 - 2 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2378
Abstract
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is the most widely used fluoropolymer that has various functionalities such as heat resistance, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and non-adhesiveness. However, PTFE is difficult to dye because of its high water repellency. In this study, the PTFE surface was modified by [...] Read more.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is the most widely used fluoropolymer that has various functionalities such as heat resistance, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and non-adhesiveness. However, PTFE is difficult to dye because of its high water repellency. In this study, the PTFE surface was modified by a combination of gold sputtering and surface fluorination to improve dyeability. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that, compared with the untreated sample, the gold-sputtered and acid-washed surface of PTFE had a negligible number of C–F terminals. Furthermore, the intensity of the C–C peak increased drastically. The polar groups (C=O and C–Fx) increased after surface fluorination, which enhanced the electronegativity of the surface according to the zeta potential results. Dyeing tests with methylene blue basic dye showed that the dye staining intensity on the surface of fluorinated PTFE samples was superior to other samples. It is due to the increased surface roughness and the negatively charged surface of fluorinated PTFE samples. The modified PTFE substrates may find broad applicability for dyeing, hydrophilic membrane filters, and other adsorption needs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface and Interface Engineering of Polymeric Membrane)
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24 pages, 3832 KiB  
Article
Non-Supported and PET-Supported Chitosan Membranes for Pervaporation: Production, Characterization, and Performance
by Wendel Paulo Silvestre, Jocelei Duarte, Isabel Cristina Tessaro and Camila Baldasso
Membranes 2022, 12(10), 930; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12100930 - 25 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2030
Abstract
The objective of this study was to develop non-supported and PET-supported chitosan membranes that were cross-linked with glutaraldehyde, then evaluate their physical–chemical, morphological, and mechanical properties, and evaluate their performance in the separation of ethanol/water and limonene/linalool synthetic mixtures by hydrophilic and target-organophilic [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to develop non-supported and PET-supported chitosan membranes that were cross-linked with glutaraldehyde, then evaluate their physical–chemical, morphological, and mechanical properties, and evaluate their performance in the separation of ethanol/water and limonene/linalool synthetic mixtures by hydrophilic and target-organophilic pervaporation, respectively. The presence of a PET layer did not affect most of the physical-chemical parameters of the membranes, but the mechanical properties were enhanced, especially the Young modulus (76 MPa to 398 MPa), tensile strength (16 MPa to 27 MPa), and elongation at break (7% to 26%), rendering the supported membrane more resistant. Regarding the pervaporation tests, no permeate was obtained in target-organophilic pervaporation tests, regardless of membrane type. The support layer influenced the hydrophilic pervaporation parameters of the supported membrane, especially in reducing transmembrane flux (0.397 kg∙m−2∙h−1 to 0.121 kg∙m−2∙h−1) and increasing membrane selectivity (611 to 1974). However, the pervaporation separation index has not differed between membranes (228 for the non-supported and 218 for the PET-supported membrane), indicating that, overall, both membranes had a similar performance. Thus, the applicability of each membrane is linked to specific applications that require a more resistant membrane, greater transmembrane fluxes, and higher selectivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface and Interface Engineering of Polymeric Membrane)
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13 pages, 2683 KiB  
Article
A Larger Membrane Area Increases Cytokine Removal in Polymethyl Methacrylate Hemofilters
by Tomoyuki Nakamura, Kazuhiro Moriyama, Naohide Kuriyama, Yoshitaka Hara, Satoshi Komatsu, Takahiro Kawaji, Yu Kato, Takuma Ishihara, Ayumi Shintani and Osamu Nishida
Membranes 2022, 12(8), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12080811 - 22 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1993
Abstract
Blood purification is performed to control cytokines in critically ill patients. The relationship between the clearance (CL) and the membrane area during adsorption is not clear. We hypothesized that the CL increases with the hydrophobic area when hydrophobic binding contributes to cytokine adsorption. [...] Read more.
Blood purification is performed to control cytokines in critically ill patients. The relationship between the clearance (CL) and the membrane area during adsorption is not clear. We hypothesized that the CL increases with the hydrophobic area when hydrophobic binding contributes to cytokine adsorption. We investigated the relationship between the hemofilter membrane area and the CL of the high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). We performed experimental hemofiltration in vitro using polymethyl methacrylate membranes CH-1.8W (1.8 m2) and CH-1.0N (1.0 m2), as well as polysulfone membrane NV-18X (1.8 m2). After adding 100 mg of HMGB1 or 10 μg of IL-6 into the test solution, experimental hemofiltration was conducted for 360 min in a closed-loop circulation system, and the same amount of HMGB1 and IL-6 was added after 180 min. With CH-1.8W and CH-1.0N, both HMGB-1 and IL-6 showed a rapid concentration decrease of more than 70% at 180 min and 360 min after the re-addition. At 15 min, the CL of HMGB-1 was CH-1.8W: 28.4 and CH-1.0N: 19.8, and that of IL-6 was CH-1.8W: 41.1 and CH-1.0N: 25.4. CH-1.8W and CH-1.0N removed HMGB1 and IL-6 by adsorption and CH-1.8W was superior in CL, which increased with a greater membrane area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface and Interface Engineering of Polymeric Membrane)
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14 pages, 2089 KiB  
Article
Influence of Solute Size on Membrane Fouling during Polysaccharide Enrichment Using Dense Polymeric UF Membrane: Measurements and Mechanisms
by Pooreum Kim, Hyungsoo Kim, Heekyong Oh, Joon-seok Kang, Sangyoup Lee and Kitae Park
Membranes 2022, 12(2), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12020142 - 24 Jan 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2173
Abstract
Fouling mechanisms associated with membrane-based polysaccharide enrichment were determined using a dense ultrafiltration (UF) membrane. Dextran with different molecular weights (MWs) was used as a surrogate for polysaccharides. The influence of dextran MW on fouling mechanisms was quantified using the Hermia model. Flux [...] Read more.
Fouling mechanisms associated with membrane-based polysaccharide enrichment were determined using a dense ultrafiltration (UF) membrane. Dextran with different molecular weights (MWs) was used as a surrogate for polysaccharides. The influence of dextran MW on fouling mechanisms was quantified using the Hermia model. Flux data obtained with different dextran MWs and filtration cycles were plotted to quantify the more appropriate fouling mechanisms among complete pore blocking, standard pore blocking, intermediate pore blocking, and cake filtration. For 100,000 Da dextran, all four mechanisms contributed to the initial fouling. As the filtration progressed, the dominant fouling mechanism appeared to be cake filtration with a regression coefficient (R2) of approximately 0.9519. For 10,000 Da, the R2 value for cake filtration was about 0.8767 in the initial filtration. Then, the R2 value gradually decreased as the filtration progressed. For 6000 Da, the R2 values of the four mechanisms were very low in the initial filtration. However, as the filtration progressed, the R2 value for cake filtration reached 0.9057. These results clearly show that the fouling mechanism of dense UF membranes during polysaccharide enrichment can be quantified. In addition, it was confirmed that the dominant fouling mechanism can change with the size of the polysaccharide and the duration of filtration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface and Interface Engineering of Polymeric Membrane)
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