Abstract: Present invention relates to a thin film composite membrane wherein a thin selective layer, having incorporated amphiphilic vesicles, is supported by a microporous substrate. A process of preparing the thin film composite membrane and its use are also disclosed.

Abstract: Nanofiltration membranes and methods of using and making thereof are disclosed. The nanofiltration membranes contain a silk layer, a porous substrate, and a selective layer. The silk layer is an interlayer sandwiched between the porous substrate and selective layer. The nanofiltration membranes have high performance for filtering water, such as improved water permeance and/or high ion removal rate. For example, the nanofiltration show a water permeance that is at least 2-fold, such as about 5-fold, of the water permeance of a commercially available nanofiltration membrane, such as DuPont FilmTec™ NF270 and/or DuPont FilmTec™ NF90, and an ion rejection of at least 70% against a target ion, such as a divalent or multivalent ion. The greatly improved water permeance of the nanofiltration membranes can result in up to a magnitude lower energy consumption in water filtration applications.

Abstract: A nanostructured composite membrane filter for rapid water purification and methods for preparing the nanostructured composite membrane filter are provided. The nanostructured composite membrane includes a silver layer having a plurality of silver functionalized nanofibers for disinfecting microorganisms of water, and a chemical modified layer having a plurality of chemical modified nanofibers for removing impurities from the water. The plurality of silver functionalized nanofibers includes a plurality of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers coated with polydopamine (PDA) and silver, and each of the plurality of chemical modified nanofibers includes a polymer matrix such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and anionic polyelectrolytes such as poly (sodium styrenesulfonate) (PSSNa) for capturing metal ions of the water.

Abstract: A hand-carry gravity-driven water filter with high throughput and water disinfection performance is formed. Membranes used for this water filter can be fabricated using electrospun method and non-solvent induced phase inversion method. A novel composite membrane structure (interwoven composite structure) was designed for further enhances water permeability and mechanical strength. The composite membrane can be composed of nanofibers with different diameter from the same polymer or different polymers. Membrane porosity and surface pore size can be controlled. Silver nanoparticles can be in-situ loaded on the surface of the membranes. The developed filter is effective for removal of a wide range of contaminants (e.g., pathogens, suspended solids and heavy metals). The purification process can be carried out under the drive of gravity (with an option for mechanically-enhanced filtration) without electricity.

Abstract: Thin film composite membrane with nano-sized bubbles having enhanced membrane permeability, preparation methods and uses thereof are provided. The method of preparation of a thin film composite membrane, comprising: a) an aqueous solution containing at least an amine, and b) an organic solution containing at least a polyfunctional acyl halide, an additive or soluble gas being present in a) and/or b), or a nano-bubble generator or ultrasound are used to generate nano-bubbles in a) and/or b). Interfacial polymerization of a) and b) occurs at or near the surface of a porous support membrane. The advantage of creating nano-sized bubbles in the separating layer of membrane is that it can reduce membrane resistance without sacrificing the mechanical strength and stability of the membrane so as to improve its water permeability, salt rejection and antifouling. In addition, the process is simple to adopt while performance improvement of the membrane is remarkable.

Abstract: Thin film composite membrane with nano-sized bubbles having enhanced membrane permeability, preparation methods and uses thereof are provided. The method of preparation of a thin film composite membrane, comprising: a) an aqueous solution containing at least an amine, and b) an organic solution containing at least a polyfunctional acyl halide, an additive or soluble gas being present in a) and/or b), or a nano-bubble generator or ultrasound are used to generate nano-bubbles in a) and/or b). Interfacial polymerization of a) and b) occurs at or near the surface of a porous support membrane. The advantage of creating nano-sized bubbles in the separating layer of membrane is that it can reduce membrane resistance without sacrificing the mechanical strength and stability of the membrane so as to improve its water permeability, salt rejection and antifouling. In addition, the process is simple to adopt while performance improvement of the membrane is remarkable.

Abstract: A hand-carry gravity-driven water filter with high throughput and water disinfection performance is formed. Membranes used for this water filter can be fabricated using electrospun method and non-solvent induced phase inversion method. A novel composite membrane structure (interwoven composite structure) was designed for further enhances water permeability and mechanical strength. The composite membrane can be composed of nanofibers with different diameter from the same polymer or different polymers. Membrane porosity and surface pore size can be controlled. Silver nanoparticles can be in-situ loaded on the surface of the membranes. The developed filter is effective for removal of a wide range of contaminants (e.g., pathogens, suspended solids and heavy metals). The purification process can be carried out under the drive of gravity (with an option for mechanically-enhanced filtration) without electricity.

Abstract: A spacer for a membrane module, the spacer comprising: a plurality of first filaments defining a plurality of fluid flow channels, in use the plurality of fluid flow channels being adjacent a membrane of the membrane module; and a plurality of second filaments provided on the plurality of first filaments and extending into the fluid flow channels, the second filaments moveable relative to the first filaments in response to an external stimulus during flow of fluid in the fluid flow channels.

Abstract: A spacer for a membrane module, the spacer comprising: a plurality of first filaments defining a plurality of fluid flow channels, in use the plurality of fluid flow channels being adjacent a membrane of the membrane module; and a plurality of second filaments provided on the plurality of first filaments and extending into the fluid flow channels, the second filaments moveable relative to the first filaments in response to an external stimulus during flow of fluid in the fluid flow channels.

Abstract: There is provided a reinforced membrane for producing osmotic power in pressure retarded osmosis. The membrane includes a base layer with mechanical reinforcement; and a porous substrate layer adjacent to the base layer, the porous substrate layer being macrovoid-free. The membrane may further include a rejection layer adjacent to the base layer.

Abstract: Present invention relates to a thin film composite membrane wherein a thin selective layer, having incorporated amphiphilic vesicles, is supported by a microporous substrate. A process of preparing the thin film composite membrane and its use are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming forward osmosis (FO) membranes. The FO membrane should have 1) at least one active rejection layer with high water permeability and solute rejection, 2) a support structure or substrate with tailored properties to reduce ICP, and 3) high membrane stability.

Abstract: A method of forming a forward osmosis membrane having a porous substrate and a rejection layer is provided. The method comprises a) forming a thin film of a polymer solution on a suitable substrate, wherein the polymer solution contains at least one polymer and optionally one or more additives in a suitable solvent, b) immersing the thin film in a coagulant bath to form the porous substrate; and c) forming a rejection layer on the porous substrate. A forward osmosis membrane is also provided.