Effects of Latent Solvent Content on Tuning the Nanofiltration Performance of Nanofibrous Composite Membranes

This study aims to optimize the application of electrospun nanofibrous substrates in thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration (NF) membranes for enhanced liquid separation efficiency by employing a method of effective welding between fibers using latent solvents. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber su...

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Main Authors: Xu-Dong Cao, Yu-Xuan Shao, Qian Wang, Tian-Dan Lu, Jing Zhong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Membranes
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/4/118
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author Xu-Dong Cao
Yu-Xuan Shao
Qian Wang
Tian-Dan Lu
Jing Zhong
author_facet Xu-Dong Cao
Yu-Xuan Shao
Qian Wang
Tian-Dan Lu
Jing Zhong
author_sort Xu-Dong Cao
collection DOAJ
description This study aims to optimize the application of electrospun nanofibrous substrates in thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration (NF) membranes for enhanced liquid separation efficiency by employing a method of effective welding between fibers using latent solvents. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber substrates were fabricated via electrospinning, and a dense polyamide selective layer was formed on their surface through interfacial polymerization (IP). The investigation focused on the effects of different solvent systems, particularly the role of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a latent solvent, on the nanostructure and final membrane performance. The results indicate that increasing the DMSO content can enhance the greenness of the fabrication process, the substrate hydrophilicity, and the mechanical strength, while also influencing the thickness and morphology of the polyamide layer. At a DMSO rate of 30%, the composite membrane achieves optimal pure water permeability and high rejection rates; when the DMSO content exceeds 40%, structural inhomogeneity in the substrate membrane leads to an increase in defects, significantly deteriorating membrane performance. These findings provide theoretical insights and technical guidance for the application of electrospinning technology in designing efficient and stable NF membranes.
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spelling doaj-art-389fd874b6f643909340da3bb4408df72025-08-20T03:13:32ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752025-04-0115411810.3390/membranes15040118Effects of Latent Solvent Content on Tuning the Nanofiltration Performance of Nanofibrous Composite MembranesXu-Dong Cao0Yu-Xuan Shao1Qian Wang2Tian-Dan Lu3Jing Zhong4Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, ChinaJiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, ChinaNational-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomass Refining and High-Quality Utilization, Institute of Urban and Rural Mining, Changzhou Key Laboratory of Biomass Green, Safe & High Value Utilization, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, ChinaJiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, ChinaJiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, ChinaThis study aims to optimize the application of electrospun nanofibrous substrates in thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration (NF) membranes for enhanced liquid separation efficiency by employing a method of effective welding between fibers using latent solvents. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber substrates were fabricated via electrospinning, and a dense polyamide selective layer was formed on their surface through interfacial polymerization (IP). The investigation focused on the effects of different solvent systems, particularly the role of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a latent solvent, on the nanostructure and final membrane performance. The results indicate that increasing the DMSO content can enhance the greenness of the fabrication process, the substrate hydrophilicity, and the mechanical strength, while also influencing the thickness and morphology of the polyamide layer. At a DMSO rate of 30%, the composite membrane achieves optimal pure water permeability and high rejection rates; when the DMSO content exceeds 40%, structural inhomogeneity in the substrate membrane leads to an increase in defects, significantly deteriorating membrane performance. These findings provide theoretical insights and technical guidance for the application of electrospinning technology in designing efficient and stable NF membranes.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/4/118membrane structure regulationnanofiberelectrospinningliquid separation
spellingShingle Xu-Dong Cao
Yu-Xuan Shao
Qian Wang
Tian-Dan Lu
Jing Zhong
Effects of Latent Solvent Content on Tuning the Nanofiltration Performance of Nanofibrous Composite Membranes
Membranes
membrane structure regulation
nanofiber
electrospinning
liquid separation
title Effects of Latent Solvent Content on Tuning the Nanofiltration Performance of Nanofibrous Composite Membranes
title_full Effects of Latent Solvent Content on Tuning the Nanofiltration Performance of Nanofibrous Composite Membranes
title_fullStr Effects of Latent Solvent Content on Tuning the Nanofiltration Performance of Nanofibrous Composite Membranes
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Latent Solvent Content on Tuning the Nanofiltration Performance of Nanofibrous Composite Membranes
title_short Effects of Latent Solvent Content on Tuning the Nanofiltration Performance of Nanofibrous Composite Membranes
title_sort effects of latent solvent content on tuning the nanofiltration performance of nanofibrous composite membranes
topic membrane structure regulation
nanofiber
electrospinning
liquid separation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/4/118
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AT qianwang effectsoflatentsolventcontentontuningthenanofiltrationperformanceofnanofibrouscompositemembranes
AT tiandanlu effectsoflatentsolventcontentontuningthenanofiltrationperformanceofnanofibrouscompositemembranes
AT jingzhong effectsoflatentsolventcontentontuningthenanofiltrationperformanceofnanofibrouscompositemembranes