G. Di Profio

When plasmonics meets membrane technology.

In this review, we present the applications of thermoplasmonics in membrane processes. We discuss the influence of the heat capacity of the solvent, the amount of plasmonic nanoparticles in the membrane, the intensity of the light source and the transmembrane flow rate on the increase of permeability. Remarkably, thermoplasmonic effects do not involve any noticeable loss of membrane rejection. Herein, we consider application feasibilities, including application fields, requirements of feed, alternatives of light sources, promising thermoplasmonic nanoparticles and scaling up issues.

From hydrophobic to hydrophilic polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) membranes by gaining new insight into material's properties

This work provides an easy and versatile strategy to manufacture novel polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) membranes by solution casting and phase separation techniques displaying tailored physicochemical and microstructural features depending on the opportune combination of functionalization by blending chemical additives (multiwalled carbon nanotubes, MWCNTs) and manufacturing procedure. The systematic study of the effect of (i) polymer concentration, (ii) use of pore forming additives (LiCl), and (iii) type and concentration of MWCNTs, on the PVDF crystalline composition and membrane microstructure, highlights the strong relationships of these parameters with the wettability, fouling and transport attributes of the formed membranes. The results provide the key to discriminate membrane preparation conditions favoring hydrophilic, low fouling, and highly selective PVDF–MWCNTs membranes, for water-treatment applications in pressure-driven membrane operations, from conditions favoring the formation of hydrophobic and waterproof membranes, to be used in the membrane contactors field. Also, they open exciting perspectives for a more effective development of PVDF-based nanostructured membranes for advanced separations based on a comprehensive investigation and understanding of materials properties.

Nano-Scale Study of Polymeric Nanofilters

A nano-scale characterization of polyethersulfone nanofiltration membranes (NF-PES-10), both as received and after employing in an aqueous solution nanofiltration process for 72 h, is presented. The surface of polyethersulfone (PES) membranes was studied by horizontal attenuated total reflection Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (HATR-FTIR) to investigate the functional groups and by atomic force microscope (AFM) to measure topographical characteristics. We also performed scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) experiments to correlate the morphology and the local nanoscopic reflectance capability of the membrane surface.