The use of carbon nanomaterials in membrane distillation membranes: A review

Sebastian Leaper, Ahmed Abdel-Karim, Patricia Gorgojo

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Membrane distillation (MD) is a thermal-based separation technique with the potential to treat a wide range of water types for various applications and industries. Certain challenges remain however, which prevent it from becoming commercially widespread including moderate permeate flux, decline in separation performance over time due to pore wetting and high thermal energy requirements. Nevertheless, its attractive characteristics such as high
rejection (~100%) of non-volatile species, its ability to treat highly saline solutions under low operating pressures (typically atmospheric) as well as its ability to operate at low temperatures, enabling waste-heat integration, continue to drive research interests globally. Of particular interest is the class of carbon-based nanomaterials which includes graphene and carbon nanotubes, whose wide range of properties have been exploited in an attempt to overcome the technical challenges that membrane distillation faces. These low dimensional
materials exhibit properties such as high specific surface area, high strength, tuneable hydrophobicity, enhanced vapour transport, high thermal and electrical conductivity and others. Their use in MD has resulted in improved membrane performance characteristics like increased permeability and reduced fouling propensity. They have also enabled novel membrane capabilities such as in-situ fouling detection and localised heat generation. In this review we provide a brief introduction to membrane distillation and describe key membrane
characteristics and fabrication methods. We then give an account of the various uses of carbon nanomaterials for MD applications, focussing on polymeric membrane systems. Future research directions based on the findings are also suggested.
Original languageEnglish
JournalFrontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 22 Jul 2020

Keywords

  • carbon nanomaterials
  • graphene
  • membrane distillation
  • desalination
  • carbon nanotubes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation

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    Grigorieva, I. (PI), Burnett, H. (PGR student), Cusworth, E. (PGR student), Deaconu, D.-A. (PGR student), Dumitriu-Iovanescu, A.-D. (PGR student), Kang, Y.-W. (PGR student), Little, J. (PGR student), Rees, E. (PGR student), Selles, F. (PGR student), Shaker, M. (PGR student), Soong, Y.-C. (PGR student), Swindell, J. (PGR student), Tainton, G. (PGR student), Wood, H. (PGR student), Astles, T. (PGR student), Carl, A. (PGR student), Chen, G. (PGR student), Richard De Latour, H. (PGR student), Dowinton, O. (PGR student), Haskell, S. (PGR student), Hills, K. (PGR student), Hoole, C. (PGR student), Huang, Y. (PGR student), Kalsi, T. (PGR student), Powell, L. (PGR student), Quiligotti, K. (PGR student), Rimmer, J. (PGR student), Smith, L. (PGR student), Thornley, W. (PGR student), Yang, J. (PGR student), Young, W. (PGR student), Zhao, M. (PGR student), Al Busaidi, R. (PGR student), Al Ruqeishi, E. (PGR student), Chadha, A. (PGR student), Chen, M. (PGR student), Dennis, G. (PGR student), Dunn, E. (PGR student), Gamblen, E. (PGR student), Gao, Y. (PGR student), Georgantas, Y. (PGR student), Jiang, Z. (PGR student), Karakasidi, A. (PGR student), Mcellistrim, A. (PGR student), Meehan, M. (PGR student), Okwelogu, E. (PGR student), Taylor, M. (PGR student), Wang, W. (PGR student), Xin, B. (PGR student), Castle, C. (PGR student), Clout, P. (PGR student), Dean, S. D. (PGR student), Fordham, A. (PGR student), Griffin, E. (PGR student), Hardwick, T. (PGR student), Hawkins-Pottier, G. (PGR student), Jones, A. (PGR student), Lewthwaite, K. (PGR student), Monteil, S. (PGR student), Moulsdale, C. (PGR student), Mullan, C. (PGR student), Orts Mercadillo, V. (PGR student), Sanderson, D. (PGR student), Skliueva, I. (PGR student), Skuse, C. (PGR student), Steiner, P. (PGR student), Winstanley, B. (PGR student), Barry, D. (PGR student), Brooks, D. (PGR student), Cai, J. (PGR student), Chen, Y. (PGR student), Chen, C. (PGR student), Draude, A. (PGR student), Emmerson, C. (PGR student), Gavriliuc, V. (PGR student), Greaves, M. (PGR student), Higgins, E. (PGR student), Mcmaster, R. (PGR student), Mcnair, R. (PGR student), O'Brien, C. (PGR student), Peasey, A. (PGR student), Pinter, G. (PGR student), Shao, S. (PGR student), Thomas, D. (PGR student), Thomas, D. (PGR student), Tsim, L. T. B. (PGR student), Wengraf, J. (PGR student), Weston, A. (PGR student), Yu, T. (PGR student), De Libero, H. (PGR student), Chan, K. C. (PGR student), Tan, Y. T. (PGR student) & Thomson, T. (CoI)

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