Lithium-based draw solute for forward osmosis to treat wastewater discharged from lithium-ion battery manufacturing

As draw solute is the core element of forward osmosis (FO) technology, here Li-Bet-Tf₂N synthesized from a customized ionic liquid betainium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Hbet][Tf₂N]) and Li₂CO₃ recovered from lithium-ion battery (LIB) wastes is proposed as a novel draw solute to treat Li⁺-containing wastewater from LIB manufacturing through FO filtration. Having high dissociation ability and an extended structure, Li-Bet-Tf₂N generates a sufficiently high osmotic pressure to drive the FO filtration efficiently along with insignificant reverse solute diffusion. Li-Bet-Tf₂N produces a water flux of 21.3 L·(m²·h)⁻¹ at 1.0 mol∙L^–1 against deionized water, surpassing conventional NaCl and MgCl₂ draw solutes with a higher water recovery efficiency and a smaller solute loss. Li-Bet-Tf₂N induces a more stable and higher water permeation flux with a 10.0% water flux decline than NaCl and MgCl₂ for which the water fluxes decline 16.7% and 16.4%, respectively, during the treatment of 2000 mg∙L^–1 Li⁺-containing wastewater for 12 h. More remarkably, unlike other draw solutes which require intensive energy input and complicated processes in recycling, Li-Bet-Tf₂N is easily separated from water via solvent extraction. Reproducible results are achieved with the recycled Li-Bet-Tf₂N. Li-Bet-Tf₂N thus demonstrates a novel class of draw solute with great potentials to treat wastewater economically.     

Preparation of novel magnetic nanoparticles as draw solutes in forward osmosis desalination

Novel magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PEG-(COOH)₂, were prepared by loading different amounts of SiO₂ or/and PEG-(COOH)₂ onto Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, and their feasibility to be used as forward osmosis (FO) draw solutes was investigated. The characterization of the materials showed that, compared to normal Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, the modified MNPs exhibited enhanced dispersity and high osmotic pressure in aqueous solution. The FO experiment indicated that the synthesized draw solutes could obtain a water flux as high as 10 L·m^-2·h^-1 with an aquaporin FO membrane. The optimal concentration of the added tetraethyl orthosilicate was 30% during the synthesis. The novel MNPs could be easily recovered from draw solutions by magnetic field, and the recovery rate of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PEG-(COOH)₂ was 83.95% and 63.37%, respectively. Moreover, after 5 recycles of reuse, the water flux of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PEG-(COOH)₂ as draw solutes still remained 64.36% and 85.26%, respectively. The experimental results demonstrated that the synthesized core–shell magnetic nanoparticles are promising draw solutes, and the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PEG-(COOH)₂ was more suitable to be used as draw solute in FO process.     

Multi-functional forward osmosis draw solutes for seawater desalination

Forward osmosis (FO), as one of the emerging desalination technologies, has the potential to produce freshwater from a variety of water sources by utilizing the osmotic pressure gradient across a semi-permeable membrane. Drawsolution, as an essential component of any FO process, can extract watermolecules fromseawater orwastewater. An ideal draw solution should meet three essential requirements, namely high osmotic pressure, low reverse flux, and facile regeneration mechanism. The selection of proper draw solutes is especially critical for an energy-efficient FO process since the energy consumption mostly arises from the separation or regeneration of the draw solution. Recently, we developed a few multi-functional FO draw solutes, mainly aiming to enhance the FO water flux and to explore facile re-concentration methods. This review summarizes these draw solutes, including Na⁺-functionalized carbon quantum dots, thermoresponsive copolymers, hydrophilic magnetic nanoparticles, and thermoresponsive magnetic nanoparticles.     

正向渗透膜分离技术及其应用综述

正向渗透是一项新型的利用半透膜两侧溶液渗透压差作为驱动力的膜分离技术。文章介绍了正向渗透膜分离技术的原理和影响因素,对其在各个领域(包括海水淡化、废水处理、橙汁浓缩、水袋)的研究进展进行了综述。现有的研究表明,可用于正向渗透工艺的膜不同于常规的反渗透膜,需要从膜结构开发适合的膜组件;采用NH3和CO2制备提取液是目前研究中具有应用前途的方式之一,具有产水率高且易于分离浓缩的优点。     

含盐聚电解质溶液的分子热力学模型

A molecular thermodynamic model of polyelectrolyte developed previously was extended to polyelectrolyte solutions with added salts.Thermodynamic properties,such as activity coefficients of polyelectrolytes or added salts and osmotic coefficients of solvent, of a number of aqueous mixtures of polyelectrolytes and salts are analyzed with the proposed model.Successful correlation is obtained in the range of moderate or higher polyion concentration.For the same sample,thermodynamic properties of polyelectrolytes with and without simple electrolytes can be predicted mutually using parameters from regression data.     

新型准对称无机膜的正渗透去除Cd2+的效能

正向渗透(forward osmosis, FO)是一种以溶液渗透压差为驱动力的新型膜技术。课题组在先前研究中使用微界面溶胶凝胶法制备了一种全新的准对称结构无机薄膜(QSTFI膜), 与传统的有机聚合FO膜相比具有更大的优势。本文考察了QSTFI膜分离去除水中重金属Cd²⁺的效能, 讨论了Cd²⁺浓度、提取液浓度以及膜表面带电性对Cd²⁺去除的影响机制。采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)表征了QSTFI膜的微观形貌, 使用能量色散光谱(EDS)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)表征了膜的化学组成, 并使用原子力显微镜(AFM)表征膜表面带电特性。结果表明, QSTFI膜表面带负电荷, 能够与液相主体中的Cd²⁺通过静电引力形成双电层结构, 双电层的Debye厚度越大越有利于膜对Cd²⁺的截留。FO实验测试中原液Cd²⁺浓度为10 mg·L^-1的条件下, QSTFI膜对Cd²⁺截留率超过99%, 水通量最大值可达到69 L·m^-2·h^-1(提取液为2.0 mol·L^-1 NaCl)。本研究为拓展FO技术在含重金属废水处理的潜在应用前景提供了理论依据和指导。     

Ionic strength directed self-assembled polyelectrolyte single-bilayer membrane for low-pressure nanofiltration

Layer-by-layer assembly is a versatile technique for fabricating nanofiltration membranes, where multiple layers of polyelectrolytes are usually required to achieve reasonable separation performance. In this work, an ionic strength directed self-assembly procedure is described for the preparation of nanofiltration membranes consisting of only a single bilayer of poly(diallyldimethylammoniumchloride) and poly(sodium-4-styrenesulfoate). The influence of background ionic strength as well as membrane substrate properties on the formation of single-bilayer membranes are systematically evaluated. Such a simplified polyelectrolyte deposition procedure results in membranes having outstanding separation performance with permeating flux of 14.2 ± 1.5 L∙m^–2∙h^–1∙bar^–1 and Na₂SO₄ rejection of 97.1% ± 0.8% under a low applied pressure of 1 bar. These results surpass the ones for conventional multilayered polyelectrolyte membranes. This work encompasses an investigation of ionic strength induced coiling of the polyelectrolyte chains and emphasizes the interplay between-polyelectrolyte chain configuration and substrate pore profile. It thus introduces a new concept on the control of membrane fabrication process toward high performance nanofiltration.     

A novel ammonia—carbon dioxide forward (direct) osmosis desalination process

A novel forward (direct) osmosis (FO) desalination process is presented. The process uses an ammonium bicarbonate draw solution to extract water from a saline feed water across a semi-permeable polymeric membrane. Very large osmotic pressures generated by the highly soluble ammonium bicarbonate draw solution yield high water fluxes and can result in very high feed water recoveries. Upon moderate heating, ammonium bicarbonate decomposes into ammonia and carbon dioxide gases that can be separated and recycled as draw solutes, leaving the fresh product water. Experiments with a laboratory-scale FO unit utilizing a flat sheet cellulose tri-acetate membrane demonstrated high product water flux and relatively high salt rejection. The results further revealed that reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are not suitable for the FO process because of relatively low product water fluxes attributed to severe internal concentration polarization in the porous support and fabric layers of the RO membrane.     

Synthesis and application of ethylenediamine tetrapropionic salt as a novel draw solute for forward osmosis application

The development of suitable draw solutes for forward osmosis (FO) process is a big obstacle on the way of its real industrialization. In this work, a novel draw solute, ethylenediamine tetrapropionic (EDTP) acid (salt) is developed for FO application. The successful synthesis is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and high resolution mass spectrum. By optimizing the pH of EDTP solution, its composition is varied, and therefore, its water solubility and osmotic pressure are effectively improved. The effects of EDTP concentration on the osmotic pressure and FO performance are also investigated. Its outstanding osmotic pressure and big molecular size result in a high water flux of 22.69 LMH and a low salt flux of 0.32 gMH with 0.8 M EDTP draw solution (water as the feed solution, pressure retarded osmosis mode). The good stability and easy recovery by nanofiltration of EDTP solution also demonstrate its great potential as the draw solute for future FO applications. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 1309–1321, 2015     

正渗透过程中汲取质反向渗透研究进展

正渗透(FO)作为一种浓度驱动的膜技术,因其膜污染轻、能耗低和回收率高等优点而逐渐成为膜技术领域的研究热点之一。汲取质的反向渗透是正渗透过程中不可忽视的现象,但其研究相对比较滞后。本文主要介绍了汲取质反渗模型的研究进展,分析了渗透压差、膜表面流速、膜结构与膜材料、温度、汲取质种类、膜取向、离子水力半径等因素对汲取质反向渗透的影响情况,并发现汲取质的反向渗透通量可由其浓度或汲取液渗透压的一元多项式表达。总体而言,FO模式的汲取质反渗模型经过不断发展已相对比较完善,而压力阻尼渗透(PRO)模式的反渗模型则缺陷较大,有待进一步研究;此外,关于汲取质反渗过程影响因素及其影响机制的研究对于汲取质、膜材料的选择与开发,以及正渗透过程的优化均具有重要的指导作用,因此会引起越来越多的关注。     

One-step preparation and characterization of PDDA-protected gold nanoparticles

Poly(diallyl dimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA), an ordinary and watersoluble cationic polyelectrolyte, was investigated for its ability to generate and stabilize gold colloids from a chloroauric acid precursor. In this reaction, PDDA acted as both reducing and stabilizing agents for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). More importantly, PDDA is a quaternary ammonium polyelectrolyte, which shows that the scope of the reducing and stabilizing agents for metal nanoparticles can be extended from the amine-containing molecules to quaternary ammonium polyelectrolytes or salts. UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) were used to characterize the synthetic AuNPs. The PDDA-protected AuNPs obtained are very stable and have relative narrow size distribution.     

界面聚合中空纤维正渗透膜的制备和表征

以聚砜为原料,通过浸没沉淀法制备中空纤维基膜,然后采用界面聚合法制备出中空纤维正渗透膜。考察了制膜参数、基膜结构和FO性能三者之间的关系。结果表明基膜的厚度为影响FO性能的主要因素之一。基膜的厚度越厚,FO过程中渗透效率越低。制得PSF中空纤维正渗透膜的厚度为0.129 mm,断裂拉伸力为2.48 N,FO通量为10.3 L·m^-2·h^-1,逆向盐扩散性能为0.15 g·L^-1。     

Thin-film composite forward osmosis membranes with substrate layer composed of polysulfone blended with PEG or polysulfone grafted PEG methyl ether methacrylate

To advance commercial application of forward osmosis (FO), we investigated the effects of two additives on the performance of polysulfone (PSf) based FO membranes: one is poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and another is PSf grafted with PEG methyl ether methacrylate (PSf-g-PEGMA). PSf blended with PEG or PSf-g-PEGMA was used to form a substrate layer, and then polyamide was formed on a support layer by interfacial polymerization. In this study, NaCl (1 mol?L⁻¹) and deionized water were used as the draw solution and the feed solution, respectively. With the increase of PEG content from 0 to 15 wt-%, FO water flux declined by 23.4% to 59.3% compared to a PSf TFC FO membrane. With the increase of PSf-g-PEGMA from 0 to 15 wt-%, the membrane flux showed almost no change at first and then declined by about 52.0% and 50.4%. The PSf with 5 wt-% PSf-g-PEGMA FO membrane showed a higher pure water flux of 8.74 L?m⁻²?h⁻¹ than the commercial HTI membranes (6–8 L?m⁻²?h⁻¹) under the FO mode. Our study suggests that hydrophobic interface is very important for the formation of polyamide, and a small amount of PSf-g-PEGMA can maintain a good condition for the formation of polyamide and reduce internal concentration polarization.     

The applications of porous FO membranes and polyelectrolyte draw solution in the high-salinity organic wastewater treatment with a hybrid forward osmosis-membrane distillation system

Hybrid forward osmosis-membrane distillation (FO-MD) system have been considered as a promising technology for wastewater treatment. In the current study, initial and modified porous FO membranes are fabricated, and the intrinsic membrane separation properties are also investigated. Polyacrylic acid sodium (PAAS), sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) are used to evaluate the effects of draw solution (DS) in FO experiments. Particularly, alkali treated modified porous FO membrane and PAAS are utilized in the subsequent wastewater treatment owing to the high performance of permeation and rejection. Furthermore, the optimal values of operating parameters (flow velocity, DS concentration and DS temperature), which are selected according to the effects of water flux (J_V) in the FO and MD process, are evaluated and utilized to investigate the dynamic changes of J_V in the high-salinity organic wastewater treatment with hybrid FO-MD system. Results show that the hybrid FO-MD system with porous FO membranes and polyelectrolyte DS maintain the operation in a constant flux of 16.61 LMH, and the permeate solution can be effectively recovered with favorable quality. This study provides remarkable implications for the design of porous FO membranes and the application of hybrid FO-MD system in the wastewater treatment.     

Novel carboxyethyl amine sodium salts as draw solutes with superior forward osmosis performance

A series of carboxyethyl amine sodium salts (CASSs) with different carboxyl group numbers are synthesized as draw solutes for forward osmosis (FO) application. Their chemical structures are examined by ¹HNMR and HRMS. FO performances are investigated and compared in terms of different physicochemical properties. The effects of the CASS concentration on the osmotic pressure and viscosity of the draw solutions, as well as the resulted FO performance are also systematically investigated. A high water flux of 23.07 LMH and an acceptable reverse salt flux of 0.75 gMH can be achieved with 0.5 g mL^?1 triethylenetetramine hexapropionic acid sodium (TTHP‐Na) draw solution under PRO mode, which is superior to most other draw solutes reported in previous literatures. TTHP‐Na draw solution is further evaluated to recycle the Congo red solution via FO process to examine its applicability for waste water treatment. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 1226–1235, 2016     

Studies on carboxymethyl cellulose. Viscosity dependence on polymer concentration and electrolyte content

Viscosity behaviour of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) in water has been examined. The data obtained are treated with Fuoss, Liberti-Stivala, Jones-Dole-Fuoss, and Yuan et al., empirical as well as semiempirical relations to understand the polyelectrolytic character of NaCMC. The results obtained are compared with other polyelectrolytes. The effect of added salt, like sodium chloride, on the viscosity of NaCMC solution also has been reported. Isoionic dillution experiments have been carried out to determine the degree of ionization of the polyelectrolyte, which reveals a little dependence of the degree of free counterions on the concentration of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solutions. This leads to the conclusion that the polyion gets dilated because of the osmotic effect caused on diluting the polyelectrolyte solution. Furthermore, it has been found that the theory of Oosawa accounting the additivity rule adequately explains the viscosity behaviour of CMC in simple salt solutions.     

具有三维聚酰胺脱盐网络结构的无纺布复合正渗透膜

利用间苯二胺（MPD）和均苯三甲酰氯（TMC）,直接在聚酯无纺布（NV）织物的多孔空间中进行界面聚合,形成大通量无纺布复合正渗透（NVC-FO）膜。NVC-FO膜在无纺布内部形成的多层次三维（3-D）聚酰胺结构,分布在30~50μm深的聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯支撑材料的内部。这种相对松散的有深度的3-D聚酰胺网络,不仅透水表面积大,而且可以避免薄层聚酰胺缺陷导致的高漏盐性,有较低的反向盐通量。进一步研究发现,在一定范围内降低单体质量分数（MPD 1%~0.01%,TMC 0.5%~0.005%）,可以形成更宽广的3-D聚酰胺网络结构,在保持较低的反向盐通量的同时得到更高的水通量。使用1mol/L NaCl作为汲取溶液,优化的NVC-FO膜水通量最高可以达到193.54L/(m²·h),反向盐通量为0.047mol/(m²·h)。采用加压正渗透实验,发现这些高通量NVC-FO膜的盐穿透破裂压力在200~1400Pa之间,而且证实了降低单体质量分数会导致膜的耐压性能显著降低。尽管NVC-FO膜的耐压性能有待提高,但是该研究有可能为构建高脱盐性能的FO膜提供一条新的思路。     

Potential use of nanofiltration like-forward osmosis membranes for copper ion removal

The discharge of industrial effluent containing heavy metal ions would cause water pollution if such effluent is not properly treated. In this work, the performance of emerging nanofiltration(NF) like-forward osmosis(FO)membrane was evaluated for its efficiency to remove copper ion from water. Conventionally, copper ion is removed from aqueous solution via adsorption and/or ion-exchange method. The engineered osmosis method as proposed in this work considered four commercial NF membranes(i.e., NF90, DK, NDX and PFO) where their separation performances were accessed using synthetic water sample containing 100 mg·L~(-1) copper ion under FO and pressure retarded osmosis(PRO) orientation. The findings indicated that all membranes could achieve almost complete removal of copper regardless of membrane orientation without applying external driving force.The high removal rates were in good agreement with the outcomes of the membranes tested under pressuredriven mode at 1 MPa. The use of appropriate salts as draw solutes enabled the NF membranes to be employed in engineered osmosis process, achieving a relatively low reverse solute flux. The findings showed that the best performing membrane is PFO membrane in which it achieved N 99.4% copper rejection with very minimum reverse solute flux of 1 g·m~(-2)·h~(-1).     

Polymeric supramolecular assemblies based on multivalent ionic interactions for biomedical applications

Oppositely charged polyelectrolytes can be used to form various types of self-assembled structures directed by multivalent ionic interactions. The supramolecular architectures that result are often referred to as polyion complexes (PICs). Synthetic polyion complexes are exciting candidates for biomedical applications. Their self-assembly capabilities give rise to hierarchical mesoscopic platforms such as micelles, membranes, and capsules through simple mixing processes. These complexes are also ideal candidates for the transport and delivery of biological agents since biomolecules, such as DNA and proteins can be easily incorporated through ionic interactions. PICs have therefore found use in drug delivery, diagnostics, gene therapy, biosensors and microreactors. In this paper, we briefly review examples of polymeric supramolecular assemblies based on multivalent ionic interactions for biomedical applications.     

Use of Micellar Solutions as Draw Agents in Forward Osmosis

Recent advances in membrane technologies have enhanced the viability of water treatment strategies that employ semipermeable barriers. Forward osmosis (FO), which exploits the natural osmotic pressure gradient between a “draw” solution and a “feed” solution to produce potable water, offers a low‐energy, low‐cost alternative to more conventional treatment methods. Surfactants, because of their tendencies to aggregate into micelles and to adsorb at interfaces, provide intriguing osmotic pressures and offer exploitable properties by which draw solutions can be regenerated. The effectiveness of surfactant‐based FO using cellulose triacetate membranes has been assessed in terms of water flux and reverse surfactant diffusion using cetylpyridinium chloride, sodium dodecylsulfate, and Triton X‐100. The ratios of water flux to surfactant flux exceeded 600 L mol^?1 for all surfactants studied. Surfactant recoveries of over 99 % were achieved by ultrafiltration using regenerated cellulose membranes.