Creating self-cleaning membranes using mild conditions to combat fouling

What is it about?

The chelation effect in a metal-polyphenol ionic cross-linking network is used to mineralize materials on the surfaces of membranes at room temperature. These ultrathin mineralized coatings endow inert polymeric membranes with catalytic MnO2 functionality. Such membranes exhibit superhydrophilicity, high polarity, and ultra-low adhesion to crude oil. The chelation-directed armored membrane demonstrated a 48-fold figure of merit for in-place self-cleaning regeneration compared to a control membrane.

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Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Pressure-driven membrane separation promises low-carbon water treatment toward a sustainable energy-water nexus. However, conventional membrane processes are severely constrained by ubiquitous fouling and accompanying energy- and cost-intensive cleaning. Advanced self-cleaning antifouling membranes would represent a breakthrough in this sector. Here, a chelation-directed interface mineralization strategy is reported for fabricating superhydrophilic ultrathin coatings on inert polymeric membranes by aqueous dip-coating at room temperature. The mineralized membrane could realize in-place catalytic self-cleaning for highly efficient membrane regeneration. This simple, mild, and green method alleviates the need for the traditional removal of membrane modules from operation thereby circumventing significant economic and productivity costs.

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